Making your Children Glorious
A Message by Pastor Olawole Dahunsi
 

Text:
Psalm 127:3-5

“Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. 4 As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. 5 Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.”

 Isaiah 8:18

“Behold, I and the children whom the LORD hath given me are for signs and for wonders in Israel from the LORD of hosts, which dwelleth in mount Zion.”

In this part of the world (Africa), research has shown that children seldom succeed their parents unlike the develop world- why? Because we do not train them. The Bible says “Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it”. Instead of training them, we rather neglect our children. Some even curse them and by the time the curses begins to work, it becomes something else. An untrained child will always disgrace his/her parents and no matter what you do for them, they will always disgrace you. An untrained child, no matter what you leave for that child as an inheritance, he or she will not see value in it because he was not inducted into it. We must endeavor to induct our children to see an example in our lives. It is a wrong thing if you name a child Solomon and he is a fool or Samson and he is a lazy child. It is not late to pray our children to align to what God want them to be.

So how do we make our children glorious?

1.      Invest and impact their lives. If you are doing a business that your child does not know anything about, he will fail if you hand that business to him. So show them how to prosper in this competitive society. The society now is different and more complex than what we use to have. Your children will make you glorious in the future if you invest and impact their lives positively.

2.      Another thing we must do is to pray for and protect them. Do not expose your children to danger. Don’t use bad language on your children. Rather than curse them, pray for them. A child that has never been cursed and a child that sleeps and wakes with curses can never be the same.

3.      Support them always. In whatever they are doing, ensure you support them. A child that is not supported will be stunted forever in life. Someone once said “we serve three generations; our parents, ourselves and our children”. Parent must support their children to grow

4.      Mentor them by your character because they are watching you. How do you do this?

-        By having a good character worthy of imitation by your children

-        Be an example. If you tell lie, your children will do same. If you steal, they too will steal. Don’t think they do not know what you are doing, they know. Live by example. What you don’t want your children to do, don’t do it because they will do same greater than what you did.

-        Live a discipline life

-        Teach them how to build good relationships with others. Some parents came from polygamous home and that is why their character is not good. Therefore they lack good relationship. It is your place to teach your children how to build quality relationship.

-        Teach them character - godly character. It is a wrong thing for someone to ask; where are you from? Inculcate discipline into you children.

Two examples of well-trained children in the Bible

1.      The Rechabites -Jeremiah 35:5-8 “And I set before the sons of the house of the Rechabites pots full of wine, and cups, and I said unto them, Drink ye wine. 6 But they said, We will drink no wine: for Jonadab the son of Rechab our father commanded us, saying, Ye shall drink no wine, neither ye, nor your sons for ever:”

Jeremiah 35:8 “Thus have we obeyed the voice of Jonadab the son of Rechab our father in all that he hath charged us, to drink no wine all our days, we, our wives, our sons, nor our daughters;”

2.      Timothy - 2 Timothy 1:5  “When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also”

Brothers and sisters, if your child is not well trained, he/she will disgrace you. Look at Proverbs 17:21, 25 “He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow: and the father of a fool hath no joy” verse 25 “A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him.” But look at a good or well-trained child; Proverbs 23:24 “The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him.”

I am praying for you that your children will do well.

Prayer

1.      Any power that wants to amputate the destiny of my children, be roasted by fire in the name of Jesus

2.      O Lord my father, drive foolishness far from my life and my children in the name of Jesus.

3.      Any power that want to waste the life of my children, be wasted by fire in the name of Jesus

4.      Where others fail, I shall succeed, my children shall succeed in the name of Jesus

5.      Powers that want to use my children to disgrace me, die in the name of Jesus.

THE DANGER OF WORLDLINESS

    Message by Pastor Olawole Dahunsi

  (Regional Overseer South South Region 2 Calabar.)

Text: James 4:4;

“Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.”

1 John 2:15-17;

“15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.”

John 15:19

“If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.”

 John 17:15-16

“15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.”

There is danger for anyone who wants to be like the world.  

What is worldliness?

1. It is sometimes associated with what you wear, that is, your appearance;

-  your dressing

·       -  what you watch or look at

·       -  what interest you

·       -  where you go

·        - the way you speak; what and how you talk

2. Worldliness is to concern oneself with worldly material than spiritual things

3. It is the condition of being concerned with worldly affairs therefore neglecting spiritual things

4. When our deeds and actions are the same with the world

5.  Having so much passion for the things of this world than the things of God

6.  It centers on what our focus and priorities are

FEW TERMINOLOGIES COMMON TO WORLDLINESS

1. Compromise with the world: tending towards the world

2. Conformity: conformity with the world Roman 12:1-2 says

3. Imitation: imitating the world. Living the way they world is living

4. Mix-up: you cannot distinguish him/her from the world

5. Covetousness

6. Devotion to the things of the world

7. Backsliding

8. Indifferent: not seeing anything wrong in the world

Worldliness is to turn from obeying God. It is to turn from following Gods pattern

Few people in the Bible that were worldy are:

1. Lots wife: she turned back and became a pillar of salt

2. Samson: he lost his glory and eventually lost his eye too.

3. Saul the king - 1 Samuel 15:23

4. Judas....

5. Demas....

God has a pattern, when a person ceases from following that way, he or she runs into trouble.

Worldliness is to be enticed by the pleasant things of this world

It is to be carried away by the things that cannot last. Things of this world don’t last. Fashion, cars houses... they all become outdated. Nobody can please the world, the world and Christian life can never be the same

WHY MUST WE RUN FROM THE THINGS OF THIS WORLD?

e     1. We are not of this world - John 15: 19

2.  We are commanded not to love the world. It is a command not a plea

3.  We are adjudge not to conform to the world; not to behave like the world. We are advised not to conform to the world - Roman 12:2

4.  We are expected to regulate our lives with the word of God only and nothing more

5. There is a promise of eternal life to those who refuse to follow the world in 1 John 2:17

6. This world and all that is in it will pass away.

7. God will excuse a worldly person from the love of God. The relationship of that person with God will go sour

8. Those things we are running after will not last - James 4:4

9. It will alienate you from God 2. Timothy 4:10

10. It makes you vulnerable to attack - Psalm 119:19

11. It makes you unfaithful and unfruitful

12. God’s name will be blasphemed in our life - Ezekiel 33

13. The person will be condemned - Hebrew 2:1-4; 10:36-39

14. You will not be able to inherit the kingdom of God

Some passages of the Bible that shows that a worldly person cannot inherit the kingdom of God

·        John 3:3

·        1 Corinthians 6:9-10 -  none of those people shall come near the kingdom of God

·        1 Corinthians 15:50 - flesh and blood that is worldliness cannot inherit the kingdom of God.

·        Galatians 5:19-21

·        Hebrew 12:14

Way out of worldliness

1. Know that worldliness will lead one nowhere. That is the 1st step. Have it at the back of your mind that only a person who knows his God, the Bible say will do exploits

2. Be a friend of God. Trust and believe in God. As a Christian if you love God, He says; even if you are thinking it in your heart, He will answer you - John 15:14

3. Focus on Jesus the author and finisher our faith. Be a true disciple of Jesus Christ

4. Forsake all for Christ’s sake - Luke 14:33.  We are not condemning having things to enjoy but don’t allow yourself to be carried away by them...

5. Transform your thinking - Colossians 3:2.  Take your thoughts away from this world...

6. Be addicted to prayer and study of the word of God - Psalm 32:8-9. So when a man begins to pray, God begins to guide and instruct him.

7. Have an understanding that anything one gets in this world shall take him nowhere. So a good Christian must nurture his/her soul with the things of God so that his/her soul will inherit the kingdom of God. Brothers and sisters the flesh will take us nowhere

I pray for you; others may miss heaven but you will not miss heaven.

Bow your head and talk to God.....

Prayers

1. Every spirit of worldliness that have captured my life catch fire

2. Enemy of God in my life die in the name of Jesus.

3. O lord my father help me to know you and to do your will all the time name of Jesus.

4. Holy Ghost fire deliver me from the hands of the powers that are stronger that me name of Jesus.

5. All the good things i have lost to the enemy today i recover them back  

6. You my life you not will not follow evil pattern in the name of Jesus

7. Holy Spirit of God take me to the level that men and women will glorify your name in my life

8. By the power in the name of Jesus this week I shall succeed and not be a failure

9. By the power in the name of Jesus this week I shall be favoured

10. Any power on assignment to fight me this week die in the name of Jesus.

THE POWER OF SELF EVALUATION

THE POWER OF SELF EVALUATION

                                         A MESSAGE BY PASTOR OLAWOLE DAHUNSI
                                   (REGIONAL OVERSEER SOUTH SOUTH REGION 2, CALABAR)

Text: Matthew 25:14-19

 “For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. [15] And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. {talents: a talent is one hundred and eighty seven pounds ten shillings} [16] Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. [17] And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. [18] But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money. [19] After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.”

 Matthew 18:23-24

“Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. 24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.”

Luke 12:42-48

“And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season? [43] Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. [44] Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath. [45] But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken; [46] The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers. {cut...: or, cut him off} [47] And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. [48] But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.”

2 Corinthian 13:5

 “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?”

As a Christian you need to sit down and ask yourself some questions to know if you are achieving success or failure in your Christian life because by evaluation, you will come to the realization of the level of success or failure in life.

What is Self-valuation?

1.      It is the process of assessing ones success or failure

2.      Self-Evaluation reveals the impact and effectiveness of set goals

3.      It the process a man use in judging or calculating the quality, importance, amount or value of his life

4.      The process a man uses to know or realize the faithfulness of God upon his life. Evaluation can be done daily, monthly, bimonthly, quarterly or yearly.

QUESTIONS TO BE ASKED DURING SELF-EVALUATION:

1.      Am I running this race well?

2.      My Christian life, does it match the Christian lifestyle?

·        Does my lifestyle match with what the Bible says?

·        How do I see God? as my mate? Father or creator?

·        How do I see life?

·        How do I see success? What is my definition of success or failure?

Success is not what you have, but the impact you create with what you have. The value of success is determined by the value you add to your life.

·        How do I see relationship?

Your relationship with people should be taken seriously and carefully. Relationship is something you must try to build because you might not know what will be the outcome tomorrow.

The person you look down on today may be at the top tomorrow. So learn not to look down or step on anyone.

·        How do I see tomorrow?

·        How prepared I am for the life outside here?

·        What legacy am I building for my children?

There is need for self-examination

·        What must you correct?

-         your relationship with God?

·        Your life, does it need any adjustment?

·        Your relationship with others.

-        Do you need to drop anyone in your life? The categories of people we meet in our life are:

a.      The people you meet and your life changes instantly

b.      The people you meet and your life is demoted instantly. These people you must avoid

·                  Do you have any impact on your children and family?

·          What do you need to build more?

-        your prayer life

-         your study life.

Requirements for self-evaluation:

1.      Self-realization

2.      Self-determination

3.      Self-discipline and focus

If a man lives his life without self-evaluation, he cannot escape wreckage or destruction

4.      Readjustment of character and behavior towards life.  Character and behavior towards life like:

a.         There is nothing I can do

b.      I have tried

c.      I cannot kill myself

d.      There’s nobody to help me

e.      Excuses

f.       and passing blame

5.      Set a fresh goal for yourself, for your Christian life like;

-        I want to hear from God,

-        I want to read the whole Bible,

-        I will change my sleeping time,

-        Relationships: resolve to associate with only people that will add value to your life.

-        Self-development; like I want to learn a new trade, I want to add to my Knowledge

-        My marriage and family: care more for your wife and children, be interested in their growth and future.

-        In your career; change your prospective about your business and career.

6.      Your attitude towards prayer and spiritual issues must change

7.      Think positive

Enemies of self-evaluation:

1.      Laziness

2.      Lack of deep thinking

3.      Procrastination

4.      Indiscipline and bad attitude to life

5.      Hatred for truth and reality

6.      Fear

7.      Compromise

8.      Imitation

9.      Lack of genuine lifestyle

1.   Not thinking about Heaven

Need for self-evaluation:

1.      God is interested

2.      It allows you to see your strength, weakness, opportunities and threats

3.      It gives opportunity to see your life better

4.      It gives you opportunity to plan and re-assess your vision

5.      It makes you to see what you are not doing well

6.      It helps you see your omissions

7.      It gives you opportunity to know how secure your life is

8.      It makes you re-adjust your relationship with God and man

11.   Give insight to issues of life are received

12.   It reveals how prepared you are for your master

13.   It gives you opportunity to adjust for Heaven

Finally, you need to evaluate your life so that you can adjust to meet the requirements of Heaven and be with your maker

Prayer points:

1.      Agenda of Hell fire in my life, die

2.      Power that does not want to hear my voice alive, what are you living for, die

3.      Agenda of poverty , shame and disgrace coming from my father’s house, die in Jesus name

4.      I will not miss my divine opportunity in Jesus name

5.      Enemies of my progress, what are you living for, die

6.      Any power that wants me to suffer this month, die, in Jesus name

7.      Anywhere I turn to this month and this week, I shall not be put to shame in Jesus

8.      This week and month, I shall be a wonder and a miracle in Jesus name

9.      You my life, reject failure this month in Jesus name