Faith: The Seed of Destiny Dearest folks, very important words... Bishop David Oyedepo’s primary calling in the 5fold is that of an apostolic Prophet, and at particular periods during the sermon, he will be making prophetic declarations which I will mark with the emboldened words in brackets (Claim it in Jesus name!)... These prophetic declarations, you should pause reading and take by saying “Amen (so be it), I receive this now for my life and my family in Jesus name”. The Bible outlines how
we take a thought by
saying [Matthew 6:31], so the
fact that the enemy is trying to fill your minds with thoughts of unbelief, fear and sin means nothing at all until you give voice to those thoughts... We must continually reject these thoughts, and speak the Word of God for every situation instead for these words to produce the physical manifestation we need... This is a life and death matter, so please don’t treat these words lightly... The Bible says believe in the LORD your God, so shall you be established; believe His prophets and you will prosper (2 Chronicles 20:20)... The Lord said in Isaiah 55:10 & 11, “For as the rain and snow come down from the heavens, and return not there again, but water the earth and make it bring forth and sprout, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, So shall My Word be that goes forth out of My mouth: it shall not return to Me void [without producing any effect, useless], but it shall accomplish that which I please and purpose, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.”; the Lord also said in the 1st chapter of Jeremiah and verse 12 “...I am alert and active, watching over My Word to perform it.”; however for the Words to have any effect in your life, your words must come in line with God’s Words in order to empower the angels to execute them... Verse 20 of Psalm 103 says The Lord’s angels excel in strength and do God’s commandments hearkening to the Voice of His Word, which voice you must lend your vocal cords to continually as a heir of salvation they are sent to minister to (Hebrews 1:14)... and then verse 21 says the angels do God’s pleasure... According to Psalm 35 verse 27, God’s pleasure is the prosperity of His servants, so you see how intimately involved and important the angels are with your financial affairs... and your entire life, which things we will perhaps look into in future Issues... but, in line with that verse, you must say these things continually, and continually avoid saying the opposite regardless of what the physical is showing...
there is a higher reality fact is subjected to... that created fact, and can change fact at will, called Truth... Truth is God Himself, and Physical reality is a fact... which our physical senses understand... but
His Word (John 1:1/ John 17:17)... so His Word spoken in faith continually never doubting will never fail to change fact to line up with what Truth has spoken which results in the physically manifested truth we need, which is why we are exhorted to call those things that be not as though they were, in line with the written Word of God (Romans 4:17)... which helps us understand Jesus’ instructions to us in Mark 11:22 24... Please note, we are not to call the things that are as though they are not... this really isn’t a play on words, when you consider someone with a broken arm saying over and over again, “I don’t have a broken arm”... this is a lie, because the fact is, they do indeed have a broken arm, and there is nowhere in the written Word of God that says
“I don’t have a broken arm”... Calling things that be not as though they were would mean disregarding the physical problem i.e. your broken arm, as Abraham considered not the physical impotence of his and Sarah’s bodies to bring forth a child,
being
careful
not to give voice to the factual reality you need to change because you have actually said things in the past that have put you in your current predicament, but instead calling your healing in, based on the written Word of God which is “by the stripes of Jesus I was healed”...
We see our Lord Jesus Himself using this same process of faith in the gospel of Mark chapter 5, when on His way to Jairus’ (the ruler of the synagogue) house to heal his daughter, they were met by some people from Jairus’ house saying don’t trouble the Teacher any longer, your daughter is already dead... You will recall from verse 23 earlier, Jairus had already initially released his faith in the words “...come and lay your hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live.”, ...when confronted with the news of his daughter’s death, right then was a major threat to Jairus making a shipwreck of his faith if he assimilated and gave voice to these new physical realities that were presenting themselves... before he could say a word, the Lord cut in quickly and see how the amplified translation described what the Lord did, in verse 36: “...Overhearing but ignoring what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue,
Do not be seized
with alarm and struck with fear; only keep on believing.”...notice that Jesus did not say a word to try and convince the people who came to deliver this bad news... their minds were already established in the seeming impossibility of the situation... instead Jesus addressed the owner of the faith... the mustard seed faith necessary to bring a turnaround to the situation... Jairus did the only wise thing to do when your faith is severely challenged and you are tempted to give voice to your physical circumstances... he kept his mouth shut... and allowed the original words of faith he had spoken to keep on working to deliver the physical manifestation he needed... his daughter’s life and health... ...and why did Jesus take charge in someone else’s house and put everyone out including granny wailing Winnie and aunt rolling Rhonda, and only allowing Peter, James, John, Jairus and his (Jairus’) wife [You have to clarify nowadays with all this da Vinci rubbish going around]... because of their unbelief... imagine such unbelief as would make people go from one extreme of wailing and weeping loudly to laughing and jeering at Jesus when He said “Why do you make an uproar and weep? The little girl is not dead but is sleeping”... this is the same process you would apply to your finances, overhearing what those bills and your bank balances are telling you, but ignoring them where your heart attitude is concerned and refusing to get over into fear... doing what you can in the physical and remaining rooted and grounded in scriptures that specifically promise you abundant finances together with walking in love, tithing your tithes faithfully, and planting financial seeds as God leads, which is the primary requirement for the harvest you desire (God willing, I believe we will deal more with these things in future issues)...
Even though the words of the following message, “Faith: The seed of Destiny” were spoken in a service held in 1999, they are being sent to you right now and you can receive them as if you were in that service and heard the words yourself... I believe
these words will mark a turning point in your life as well in the name of Jesus (Claim it in Jesus name!).
Intro Welcome... to the hour of breakthrough with Bishop David Oyedepo. The hour has come, for the liberation of mankind from the oppression and wickedness of satan through the Word of Faith. Faith that is not absolute is impotent, but when faith in God is absolute, result is inevitable. Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing the Word of God. Welcome into a gospel adventure, into the Power and Wisdom of God accessible by faith, as Right Reverend Dr. David Oyedepo, the Bishop of The Living Faith Church worldwide teaches you how to make God your backbone and breakthrough. Insight makes for dispatch in all areas of life. May the Lord make you of quick understanding, as you join in this time of seeking wisdom, Amen.
Beginning Something is about bursting forth... on your behalf... let it be (Claim this in Jesus Name!). I want you to be very awake, we are in a very sensitive moment in the course of this meeting. God is going to be distributing graces to people wherever they are seated, on the road, in the overflows everywhere, God will be making special deliveries to people right now! (Claim this in Jesus Name!) Because you have come to seek Him, shame will be removed from you (Claim this in Jesus Name!) Faith... the seed of destiny! ...because faith is what determines what you become... What you receive, determines what you believe, and what you believe determines what you become. John chapter 1 verse 12, ...as many as believed Him, to them gave He power to become! ...the sons of God... even to as many as believed on His Name, as many as received Him, He gave power! ...and when they believed! ...they become...
That’s why when you are in a church... that does not believe in divine healing, you have the benefits of sickness and disease... when you are in a church that does not believe in prosperity, you are decorated with poverty... Nobody in this church can be proud to talk about how he beat his wife, can anybody dare that? ...Because of what is taught... it is a shame for anyb... that’s why when you are fighting your wife if you ever did, as a newcomer, when you haven’t departed Egypt properly, and one of your Winner friends is coming, you quickly become holy, true or false? ...there is an emergency holiness... ...the Bishop mimics... ”...praise God, praise God, you are blessed...”, and the woman is crying, they know you know what I am talking about... I mean... and then, you quickly acted holy... because the environment does not permit such hooligans activity... because if a man really wants to practice fighting, he should look for a man... true or false? ...the Bishop Chuckles... even in the western world, they don’t match men and women in contest, do they? ...have you ever seen a boxing contest when a man and woman are doing it? No... Its man to man, so for men who have the gift of fighting, they should look for other men... ...the Bishop Chuckles... amen, and it’s very lazy men who fight wives, you know... it’s a sign... it’s a
practical sign of covenant laziness, you know... even when we were little kids... to fight a girl in school is a shame... ....the boy and girl say, “...you are stupid... ...you are stupid...they say, go and look for boys of your size...” ...the Bishop Chuckles... very lazy men tell their wives, I’m going to kill you today (Please note in Nigerian cultural context, Kill is not literal, this expression would just be threats made by a covenant lazy man as the Bishop says, getting ready to fight with his wife, which could very well get physical)... you know... ...the Bishop Chuckles loudly... now, tell your neighbour like that, who is a man, I’m going to kill you today ok... ...the Bishop Chuckles... praise God... I won’t forget my message, I’m going on...
Faith, the seed of destiny... what you believe determines what you become... I heard the Word of hitch-free marriage, and received it, so the power to become it was imparted, and I become it, not became it, I’m... become. We’ve never had an argument in my home, home sweet home... I don’t go anywhere in the country and outside the country, and I wish to stay there, no... I don’t have any country of interest in this world. Wherever I go to under heaven, I want to be back home, because it’s home sweet home... I heard it! Received it! So I become it... But what you don’t hear... you can’t believe, and what you don’t believe... you can’t become. So it’s very crucial, where you position yourself! Because where you are found determines what you become... I know how many of us looked when you first came to this church, but I now know how you look... some people trekked to this church, they ride V-Boot now (Nigerian slang for Mercedes Benz 230E)... because they became something else, by reason of what they received and believed... that’s life...
Now, the important thing I want to bring out is that, faith... is a seed. Not a slang... not a look... faith is a seed. It’s not a feeling... it’s not a falling... it’s not a lifting of hands... faith is a seed. In chapter 17 of Matthew and verse 20, if you have faith... like a grain of mustard seed... seed... you will say to this mount... they say, why could we not move it... He (Jesus) said, you don’t have the seed... that can move it. Matthew chapter 17 verse 20, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you shall say to this mountain, be thou removed and be cast into the sea, and it shall be so... nothing! ...shall be impossible unto you. So faith is a seed... and because what you believe is what you become, it is a seed of destiny, it is what? It is a seed of destiny... faith is a seed of destiny. And the Bible said... in Matthew chapter 13 verse 31, He said, a mustard seed is the least of all seeds, Matthew 13 verse 31 to 32... but when it’s planted, it grows and become a mighty tree with great branches, and the birds of the air come in to make their nests in it... when it grows... so the seed of destiny, when properly treated, it grows to become a mighty tree... providing covering for many... finding solace for wanderers... providing shelter for the homeless... so it grows! I want to say this here...
and I believe it will happen... if you refuse to grow... you have accepted to groan... g... r... o... a... n... if you refuse to grow... you have accepted to groan... veeery crucial God’s people... Growth is a responsibility if greatness and exploits is your dream... Faith, the seed of destiny, in Matthew chapter 9 verse 29, God’s Word says... according to your faith, Matthew 9:29... be it done unto you, according to your faith, Matthew chapter 9 and verse 29, according to your faith. So what happens in my life, is according to my faith... it is, He said, it’s according to your faith, be it done to you... so it is with me, according to my faith. When my faith... is developed for health... health... be it to me... if... my faith is developed for abundance, abundance becomes my heritage. What becomes of me is determined by the faith at work in me... it’s not determined by environment... it’s not determined by circumstances... it is determined by me, so... I... I... have to... protect my destiny, and because faith is the anchor of my destiny, I have to protect my faith... and provide an environment, for a healthy growth of the same... Now hear this, there are three broad classifications of faith in the scriptures. We have the Word of Faith Romans chapter 10... and you read that from verse 6, all the way through to verse 10... you know... the Word of Faith which we preach, if you believe in your heart, and confess with your mouth... you shall be... saved, that is the Word of Faith. Is somebody hearing what I am saying? The Word of Faith, the Word of Faith... it is the confessional realm of faith, come on say, confessional realm.... if you believe in your heart, and confess with your mouth, you shall be saved, you know... the confessional... the confessional realm.
Now we have the spirit of faith, come on say, spirit of faith... we had a teaching on that on Tuesday, the spirit of faith... is the declarational realm! you make declarations... someone would come and say I shall be well, no you would instead say I am, well... declaration... that comes with a degree of authority, with what? That is not obtainable in confession... confession is seeking divine approval... approval to... bring it to pass. Declaration is compelling! ...divine approval is what? That’s what we have come to call... prophetic utterances... they are the things you utter that must come... now, the third realm was the one I mentioned on, the gift of faith, that is the manifestational realm... hello... “Put him in my car, let me see the devil that can enter my car with me!”, that’s manifestation... that’s not declaration... that’s not confession... (Background testimony to this was an insane man who had not been speaking for a very long time was brought to the Bishop’s office for deliverance, and as this man was put in the Bishop’s car, he immediately came into his right mind, began speaking and asked for food that he was hungry) “It cannot happen, can I have my food please!” (Background testimony to this is when the Bishop’s wife was expecting one of their children, and she came to him and gave him a report from the doctor to the effect the child would be still-born because of some complications... of course, this child was born bouncing, sound and healthy because of the Bishop’s revelation knowledge of God’s faithfulness to His covenant)... now you see, that is not declaration, that is manifestation... otherwise, you would say it twice... It cannot happen, can I have my food... and you... when you are eating, it can never happen... you will be saying it... when you are about to sleep, it would be, no way, it can never happen... now, that is declaration... ...the Bishop Chuckles... manifestation is, “By My Word”, that is the gift of faith realm, is somebody hearing what I am saying? Uh huh! ...the Bishop Chuckles... praise God... now, the Word of faith, just as it’s named comes direct from the Word
of God... the Word of God is the source of the Word of faith, is that alright? Now... the spirit of faith, like we said on Tuesday, it’s source is the Voice of God... hello... the gift of faith... it’s source is the gift of the Holy Spirit... because... faith... is one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit... so, the Holy Spirit is the source of the gift of faith... the Voice of God, is the source of the spirit of faith, and the Word of God is the source of the Word of faith... somebody is hearing something... is somebody picking something here?
...come on... now, but let’s look at it... it is the breath of God on the written Word that becomes the Voice of God... is somebody hearing what I am saying? He said, the Voice of the Lord is upon the waters... Psalm 29 verse 1... the Almighty thundereth! ...the Voice of the Lord is upon many waters... and you know the Word of God is likened to water, am I right? Ephesians chapter 5 verse 26... now, listen to what I am saying... it is the breath of God on the written Word that releases the Voice of God... it is God saying, “That is you I am talking to!” ...you can never! ...be poor again... that’s what I am saying, you know that’s the Voice of God... it is... it is... contactable on the pages of scriptures... is somebody hearing what I am saying? ...the gift of faith
revolutionary... inspirational insight! ...at attack! ...sudden! ...revolutionary! ...inspirational
thrives on sudden... the point of
insight!
...into the Word of God, to secure a particular victory... that is when you are confronted, something on the inside like a whirlwind... picks on a Word! ...exploded the Word on your inside!! ...and turns you to a revolutionary commander of the situation... is somebody hearing what I am saying? So it is the or... now, listen... a young lady came, by the way I have shared this testimony the other time, and she said... “hah hah... I couldn’t write... anything... in the exam... I don’t know... I was blackout...”, I said what happened... she said, “I can’t tell”, I said what of the paper, she said “I have submitted it”... I said... well... do you know God has a pen? ...I said... she looked up... I said, with His Hand He wrote the ten commandments on the two tables of stone, and delivered it to the man Moses... God has a pen because of the day when His sons would be stranded like you are! ...so, in His invisible power He could penetrate where the papers are put, and fill up the right answers for you... I said, as the Lord liveth, you can’t fail that exam... and she passed it colourfully... you say, what did they mark? Ask them... that’s what you do after...
Now, a woman was crying many years back now, in Jos, and what was the matter... “...sobs... sobs...”, they have done x-ray... they have done b-ray... they have done all the rays... and they couldn’t locate uterus, they couldn’t locate her womb... that means her case is closed, the sack that should carry the baby, has been stolen... ...the Bishop Chuckles... if they steal your suit, you will go and buy another one... where will you go and buy that one from? Now... now, while they said that to me crying... the gift of faith came into operation! I said, look... there is no manufacturing plant that does not have a spare parts store... God! ...as the sole manufacturer of man would not be that stupid not to have spare parts store... particularly when He knows there is a thief who has come to steal, to kill, and to destroy... and He said, but I have come to replace... from My spare parts stores whatev... now, you see, that was sudden inspiration! ...by the
giftings of God, to bring about a particular solution, in a particular circumstance... is somebody hearing what I am saying? ...but that is a parable from John 10:10... common as abc, but can be made uncommon by complicated insight! ...which is brought about, by the operation of the gift of God... is somebody hearing what I am saying? That! ...you can’t learn in college of theology or in Word of faith Bible Institute... you can only learn that by being gifted, which you have cried for, which has happened to you now! (Claim this in the Name of Jesus!)
...now, that... whether it be by the Word of God that you read or hear which brings about the... encounter with the Word of faith, or by the Voice of God which you contact by diligently hearkening, providing a conducive environment for heaven’s Voice to sound across... or by sudden inspiration! Which is the way... the natural way by which the gift of faith operates... it is all still rooted in the Word of God... is somebody hearing what I am saying? So... faith has no other growth environment, than the Word
the Word is the Source! ...the sole Source... of strength and vitality for your faith... which is your seed of environment...
destiny... because what you believe, is what you become... I don’t care how any devil feels, I cannot! ...be sick. ...I have settled that... looong ago... I can’t have accident no matter how much you want me to... now... and I tell all the devils in hell... as He (God) tarries there, I tarry here... amen... and when you are 80, I would be reminding you what I said, which has kept you also (Claim this in the Name of Jesus!) ...amen... and when some of these hefty deacons become 120, amen... and they pass offering plate, they don’t know where it ended again... ...the Bishop Chuckles... praise God... I mean, you see because what you belieeeve, is what you become. Now, listen to me... by the time Jesus arrives... the oldest company of Christians will be met in our ministry (Claim this in the Name of Jesus!) so... even at rapture, they will have to give them angelic support so they won’t drop as they are going, you know what I am talking about... ...the Bishop Chuckles... just give them angelic support to carry them gently home... because of what you have received!
...the scriptures cannot be broken! ...He cannot deny Himself!! ...that’s why when you leave a Word environment, you begin to loose your worth! ...when you leave a Word environment, you being to loose your worth in the Kingdom!! Because the Word... is what determines your worth. Anybody can pray for you... but you can’t become what you have not believed... you cannot become what you have not believed... you cannot become what you have not believed!
You cannot become what you have not believed!!
...one of my precious sons... was very smart at receiving God’s Word... and what I saw becoming of him in his industry, my eyes began to envy God for His goodness... he began to sit to interview white men... to get jobs in their own country... as one yet to be married, and I will tell you the age...he began to sponsor students to medical schools... and giving personal scholarships to students in the Universities... and he is about to marry... just making waves, and making news... by the things he has received...
exploit!
...is a direct function of faith... please understand what I am saying
tonight... the Bible says in Habakkuk chapter 2 verse 4, He said, speak no more exceedingly proudly... for the just shall live by his faith... so the worth of your life, is a function of your faith... the worth of your life, is a function of your faith! ...He said, in Romans chapter 1 verse 17, herein in the righteousness of God revealed, from faith to faith, as it is written, the just shall live by faith... Romans 1:17, the just shall live by faith... the worth of your life, is a function of your faith... never forget that! He said in Galatians chapter 3 verse 11... the just shall live by faith! ...in Hebrews chapter 10 verse 38, now! ...the just shall live by faith, but if any man draws back, My soul shall have no pleasure in him... so it has to be a continuous adventure... Hebrews 10:38, Now, the just shall live by faith, but if any man draws back, My soul shall have no more pleasure with him... so, now that you believed yesterday... you can’t bank on yesterday’s belief to determine what you become today... it is the belief of today that determines what you become tomorrow... and then the belief of tomorrow that determines what you become the following day after.... so
faith... is a continuous adventure, if your life must retain its worth, and increase in its value... say, help me Lord... say, help me Lord... say, help me Lord! ...say, help me Lord!
...there is a missing point here, and I want you to see... in Luke chapter 8 verse 11, God’s Word says... in explaining and expantiating on the parable of the Sower, he said now, this... the parable is this... the seed is the Word of God... Luke 8 verse 11, the seed is what? The Word of God... and the Bible says... if you have faith... as a grain of mustard seed... so, you have two seeds, you have the Seed, that generates a seed... hello... now, the parable is this, the Seed is the Word of God, and he said, if you have faith... as a grain of mustard seed... so there is the Seed... there is a seed... the Seed... is the mother of a seed... did you understand what I am saying... the Word of God is the Seed... that delivers a seed, which determines what you become... so the two of them are... related... God’s Word generates faith... and faith determines what becomes of a man... listen to me... all the things that God has been imparting to you here, no matter what the devil does... you will become it (Claim this in the Name of Jesus!) ...when we are going to be meeting with Christ... there will be no one here that will still have a record of defeat left in his record (Claim this in the Name of Jesus!) ...if you are sixty! ...and you desire a child... here in this place... we will dedicate that child (Claim this in the Name of Jesus!) ...can I hear you shout a loud amen... no matter the spell, placed on you by any devil... in the years, when you were in Egypt, no matter the plague placed on you by the curse of man or satan or witches or wizards... not a trace of it will remain in your life by the end of this meeting (Claim this in the Name of Jesus!) ...they have vowed you will never marry... but we will celebrate your marriage this year! (Claim this if you have this need in the Name of Jesus!) ...they have vowed that you will live continuously in frustration... but we will celebrate your triumph this year (Claim this in the Name of Jesus!) ...that is it... in the precious Name of Jesus... Growth! ...is not automatic... Growth places responsibility on all that desire it... and faith... because it’s a seed... it has the ability to grow... God! Is the Lord of the harvest... but we have the responsibility of planting and watering, before God can bring the increase... he said it, when Paul plants and Apollo waters, what happens? It is God... that brings the increase, 1st Corinthians chapter 3 verse 6, it is God that brings the increase... so, we don’t grow just sitting down with arms folded... we are busy planting and watering, and
God is on the other side... bringing the increase, when He is satisfied with what we have done...
(Repeat after the Bishop) Lord... show me my responsibility tonight... Lord, show me my responsibility tonight... Lord, show me my responsibility tonight... Lord, show me my responsibility tonight... Lord, show me my responsibility tonight... like Pastor was saying initially... every seed... like he said in one of the teachings... every seed requires... a conducive environment for its growth, true or false? ...no matter how much faith... grains of maize, will never grow on this floor... will it? ...if all the prayer band... are confessing, and declaring, and manifesting... on it... it will be down in their presence, because the environment is contrary to... what makes for growth... if faith! ...is your seed of destiny... it’s important therefore, to locate... a conducive environment, for your destiny... to remain secure... the seed will not grow... until it has found a conducive environment for it... can I hear you say amen? ...can I hear you say amen? ...let’s begin, with the internal environment, and I’m going to be very brief on it... the internal environment is well stated in Mark chapter 4, in Luke chapter 8, and then of course in Matthew chapter 13... now, it’s in the parable of the Sower... it borders on the state of the heart... it borders on what? Now, because it is the Word that generates faith... so, if the Word does not have a conducive environment on your inside, faith will never be generated... faith will never be developed!... it has four characteristics... there are those that fell by the way side, that is the non-committer group... the on-lookers... ...the Bishop mimics them... “let’s go and see... what they are doing... let’s go... I hear say den dey do miracle there (pidgin English for I hear they are doing miracles there)... let’s go...”, so in every... praise and worship... he is looking like that... open to Genesis, for where... he’s an on-looker, he is a spectator, you know... the only way to spectate is to be by the wayside isn’t it... if you want to know... how the cars are moving, all you do is to stand by the road isn’t it... so they are by the wayside Christians... no mission! ...no commitment! ...no concern! ...they just sit down there... and they see everybody, ...the Bishop mimics them...“you see one woman like that... uh hmm... she is covering her head like ehh... an old woman ...you see that man, ah... how can you wear slippers to church! What kind of man is this?”, that’s a man... who came to church, are you hearing what I am saying... he now sees one man, “that one is very tall”, he sees another one, “that one is very short” ...the Bishop Chuckles... he sees another one, he is saying, “see his coat”, you say, what do I see there, he says, “can’t you see”, you say what is it... “ see yourself now...”, he’s a by the wayside Christian, he’s just... just saying... they say why, “I’m by the wayside”, ...the Bishop mimics... “ah... people plenty here o... (pidgin English for People are plenty here), chei! ...what are they doing?” ...the Bishop Chuckles... he’s a by the wayside Christian... those are the ones who forget their Bibles, are you hearing what I’m saying? ...their Bibles and their bags, can you imagine somebody? I mean! ...the Bishop exclaims... and then he would be disturbing people there in the lost and found table, you know... a whole adult, adult, adult born of a woman, full of strength... he now lost his Bib... by the wayside, he is still looking while we are closing... he is still looking, he said “see that...”, then he gets to the road, “see the way that car is smoking... see the way that man is speeding, where is he going to?” ...the Bishop Chuckles... he is always seeing everything, except himself, so he forgets his Bible, his bag... everything, and becomes a concern to God... he’s a by the wayside Christian, everything has dropped, the devil takes it up on the spot because he is by the wayside...
...you know the parable of the Sower... And then you have those that fell on the rock... those are the ones that have no root in them, so the slightest temptation, he would like to say it’s not working... ...the Bishop mimics... “I paid tithe last month...”, he has no root in himself... the heart is rocky... and stony... its granite... do you understand what I am saying? ...the slightest temptation, he is already put in disarray... The third group, are those who carry concerns and burdens on their head... the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of the riches, they are the things that they call the thorns... which choke the Word... the cares of this world, while we are in church now... ...the Bishop mimics... “ah... tomorrow, there is no movement... eh... and somebody is supposed to bring me money... ahh... I will leave here at four...” ...the Bishop Chuckles... “so I can get there before four-thirty... if he doesn’t give me, I will kill him today”, that is, we are in the service are you hearing what I am saying? ...we are right in... before God like that!! ...the Bishop mimics... “on Monday... yes... I should be in Calabar... Enugu... ok, I don’t know whether the MD (Managing Director) would have come o”, right inside the service, are you hearing... so nothing... the thing is, he is writing it down o, but it’s not going anywhere... in fact, when you say Joshua, he has written John... John 24, then you start looking for it, you can’t find it... because he has gone away... he is still trading, while we are here, he is trading now... he is balancing his book for the week... ok, ok, that... that 24,390...then he would open one page of his Bible, 24,390 ...the Bishop Chuckles... the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches choke the Word so that they bring no fruit to perfection... can you see the character of this man? ...do you understand it now? ...somebody asked me, he said, “Do
until your heart is free from concerns, it cannot relate effectively with God... what to eat? What to drink? After all these things the gentiles (People you cram scriptures”, I said, no I eat them... I don’t cram them...
without God’s covenant) seek, and they couldn’t find it.... your heavenly Father knows you need them, so free yourself... cast all your cares upon Me, because I care for you, that’s why God’s Word is not thinking... that’s why faith is not writing... stony... thorny... by the wayside... I see mighty deliverance for you right now (Claim this in the name of Jesus!)
Those are unfavourable conditions... for the Word to penetrate... and for faith to rise... those are resisting and obstacles... in the way... of growing your faith, which is growing your destiny... growing your faith is what? Growing! ...your destiny ...and then finally He (Jesus) talks about... in Luke chapter 8, I love that... the way he painted it, in Luke chapter 8, He (Jesus) talked about, that which fell on good ground... are they which... are... or which fall into a good and honest heart, Luke 8 verse 15, a good and honest heart... come on say, good and honest... good, that is, they are honest with themselves, they are honest with God... good and honest... they are honest with the people around them, they are not like that Christian... they are there... they are satisfied with when God sets in... receives the Word, and with patience, brings forth fruit... and chapter 13 of Matthew and verse 23, he said the fruit is brought forth in degrees, some thirty-fold, some sixty-fold, and some hundred-fold... because the quality of the heart, determines the quality of the fruits... is somebody hearing what I am saying? The quality of your heart, determines the quality of the seed... and the quality
of the seed, determines the quality of the fruit!! ...I think you know that... (Say these prayers after the Bishop) God, help me... deliver me from by the wayside spirit... deliver me from stony spirit... deliver me from thorny spirit... I want my destiny protected... so help me Lord... so help me Lord... please put your right hand on your forehead, and prophesy clarity of purpose, to your spirit... to your heart... that you will become... that you will arrive at that honest and good status of your heart... where the Word of God will find a good place, and your destiny will bear some in the sight of God... ...congregation praying... in Jesus precious Name... shout hallelujah! ...do you understand the internal environment now... your faith will explode into the realms of exploits (Claim this in the Name of Jesus!) ...you will stand before God and say... I know you are up to it... what are you asking me to do now... the Word will just open up... and your heart will just be receiving it, and explosion is on the way... that shall be your case (Claim this in the Name of Jesus!)
...the external environment...becomes the trap of multitudes... the Bible says... BLESSED is the man, that what? ...walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly... nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful, or sitting with the scoffers... nor... standeth in the way of sinners, but his delight is in the law of his God, and upon it he doth meditate upon it day and night, he shall be like a tree... planted by the rivers of water, whose leaves will never wither, and he will bring forth his fruit in his season, and whatsoever he doeth, it shall... prosper... you remember that, in Psalm 1... and verse 1 to 6... so... its clear... God is saying something to you... locate yourself favourably... if your destiny must be preserved and secure!! The people with whom you walk... where you sit... and where you stand, determines what ultimately becomes of your destiny... Jesus prayed all night, to select people who would be with Him... you can’t walk anyhow, and you will be gathering all the devils around you, and wanting to behave God... in the midst of it all... is somebody hearing what I am saying? ...I want to show you something now, that will make you fear... not even everybody in the Church is worthy of your relationship!! Hah!! ...the Bishop exclaims... because among the good seed of God, there are the tares... of the wicked one... He (Jesus) said, a man went and sowed the seed... good seed in his field, and while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares... and he said, Master, did you not sow good seed in Your field? ...He said, an enemy has done this... so, when God sows His seed, like you and me... the enemy comes in, to sow his own seed among us! ...and they come in sheep clothing!! ...they, they, they look Christian, but they are devils!! ...under their garments... they are wolves in sheep clothing... that’s why you find people duping you in church, they are the seed of devils... they are the seed of the wicked one... He (Jesus) said the tares are the seed of the wicked one... you now come to somebody and squeeze money out of them and disappear... that’s a devil, not a
He said you won’t know them by prayer, you’ll know them by their fruit... you’ll know them by what? ...it’s Matthew Christian...
7:20, write it down... He said, by their fruits you shall know them, not by prayer... not by meeting... by their fruits... size him up first! ...before you sign him in... Size him up with the Word of God, before you sign him in to a relationship!! ...there are people I have lifted my hand to help, and God said “No! Don’t do it”... I put my hand back in my pocket, maybe he is one of the tares... you know the... story of the tares in Matthew chapter 13? ...I would like you to read it now please! ...let everyone that is a
good seed, open his Bible... Matthew... chapter 13... verse 36... you have Matthew in your Bible? ...wonderful! You are not by the wayside... amen... Matthew 36 now... that is chapter 13 and verse 36, He said, he that soweth the good seed is the son of man, verse 37 sorry... he is talking about that parable, which he started in... you know, all the way back from verse 31... he started from verse 36, but let’s go on in verse 37 now... He answered and said unto them, he that soweth what? ...the good seed, is who? ...yes... now, the field is the world, and the good seed are the children of the Kingdom, but the tares are what? ...the children of the wicked one... so, there are children of the wicked one among us... you don’t need revelation to know them by their fruits, so you watch well... that’s why He (Jesus) said, watch and pray... you watch... the way this man is doing... his mouth is sweet... I will wait a bit... he says... ...the Bishop mimics... “I’ve seen one business now! ...by the port! If you bring 100,000... you know, by Friday latest...” ...then he does like this... ehm... you know he is setting a trap for an innocent soul... many!
...children of the wicked one are among the children of God in every assembly, and they will be there till Jesus comes, because He said, let them grow together... so, as we are growing in righteousness, they are growing in wickedness... they would just be looking, “I think I will see one...”, I sent somebody away from here today, I said, out now!! ...and I told the welfare officer, I said, tell the security men never to allow this Tare enter here except in service!! ...so there are children of the wicked one nosing around... looking for who to trap, and who to defraud... “excuse me, I don’t have transport money?”, I said, by the time you are trekking home, you will be hearing the Voice of God very clearly... hm... hm...God will speak to you, as a thunder strikes from heaven (The Bishop is referring here to those who seek to take advantage of other Christians with this love message of giving)... hm, amen... Tare... Tares! ...They are children of the wicked one... out to dissolve the innocent! ...and you know what you do to unfruitful trees... you curse them... you do what? Jesus looked for fruit on that tree, He couldn’t find, He said, “No one eateth fruit of thee forever”, and it dried up, so they are to be cursed! ...so the environment can be tidy... look! ...your personal life is so precious... you should pay personal attention... to select who you walk with... and who walks with you! Who comes into your house, and into whose house you go!! ...come on say, I hear now... ask your neighbour, are you hearing? Tap him... are you hearing, or you dey sleep? ...the Bishop Chuckles... whah! ...you, you must sit down to determine! ...who walks with you... there are children of the wicked one down here... He said, let them grow together until harvest! ...that’s why we have problems... until harvest, he said, lest when I’m trying to uproot them, I uproot the other people around... but if you locate any one, curse him! ...somebody duped someone here of 4 million, can you understand that?! I tell you... and fizzled into the air... don’t take nobody for granted o! ...assess the fruit... until you are convinced that the fruit matches the claim... say, help me Lord... say, help me Lord... say, help me Lord... the Bible said in John chapter 2 verse 29, Jesus committed Himself to no man, because He knew all men! ...so He committed Himself to only those He was persuaded needed such commitment... that’s why He would enter somebody’s house, and somebody else can’t even see Him on the road... you would not be a victim (Claim this in the Name of Jesus!)
You need to create a conducive environment... for your destiny to develop, and grow! ...now, in the flock of Christ, I said something humourously yesterday, I want to run down it, and then we will be praying... this is a very bright day... I see God separating you eternally unto Himself (Claim this in the Name of Jesus!) I see you locating a secured place for your destiny in God (Claim this in the Name of Jesus!) To be everybody’s friend, is to be a fool... to relate with everybody you see, is to dismiss your future... I saw something! ...in the flock of Christ... Jesus, said something in Matthew 25... He said... He will separate the goats, from the sheep... Matthew 25, you remember... the goats, from the sheep... the goats, from the sheep... the goats! ...from the sheep... the goats!! ...from the sheep... that means, in His flock... there are not only sheep... there are also what? ...goats... come on say, I’m not a goat, if you’re not one... a goat hears no instruction... they don’t shepherd goats, because there is no way... to persuade them to follow you... goats are never successful followers... when they go in the market, they go round about... when you hit them here, they go here, and when you hit them here they... and they will still come back to where you hit them, it doesn’t matter... there are some goats in the open market... you have markets in your villages, don’t you? ...they have broken the leg like this... but he will drag the remaining to... ...the Bishop Chuckles... to the same place where they hit him! So you see... ...the Bishop Chuckles... he will be doing the same one thing, over and over again... you hit him he will cry ...the Bishop mimics goats... then he will come back again... you don’t know anything, I’m a goat... ...the Bishop Chuckles... amen... ...the Bishop Chuckles...
Now, I saw in Ezekiel 34 and verse 17... three classes of animal forms in His fold! ...one, he mentioned... the rams... those are stubborn sheep... amen... stubborn hearted sheep! ...and they have horns on their head to prove... how stubborn they can be... Rams... then he talks about he-goats, you know he-goats with beards? You, do you know he-goats with beards?! ...the Bishop Chuckles... He-goats! ...and then he talks about cattles which are cows, come on say cows... cows will step on anybody’s feet, anything you like... in fact, he will see you passing and he will ...the Bishop mimics cows... Father, I thank you in Jesus name... those are cows... they are offenders... they are what? ...you are praying, he will move... excushe me... xcushe me... he say, he doesn’t need to touch him o, because he is a cow, he has to... xcushe me pleashhh... xcushe me pleashh... because ...the Bishop Chuckles... a cow must step on somebody’s toes somewhere... come on say, I hear... and they are all in the sheep o, but they are not going anywhere... except everlasting fire... only the sheep is going to heaven, can’t you see it in Matthew 25? ...only the sheep is going to what? Heaven... and they are all in the same flock! ...there will be very stubborn people... you see them in eh... you know, they are like that... they are in every group, in every church... even in the Church of Christ, they were there... were they not there? ...you will not... be cursed... (Claim this in the Name of Jesus!) ...These different forms are subjective to change, if the individuals desire... a change... we were all lost in hell, one day we said no! ...to satan, and came out... you can come out to... come on say, I know that... I accept that... now, also there are wolves... what do I call them? ...Matthew 17:15 to 23, He said, there are wolves in sheep clothing... Matthew 17... wolves! ...in sheep clothing... Matthew 10 verse 16 to 21 also... there are wolves... wolves! In the flock... those are devourers! ...those are spiritual witches! ...they are what? ...they are out for the
slaughter... they are out... for the slaughter, they are looking for who to sell out to the devil... you would not be a victim (Claim this in the Name of Jesus!)
Understand what I am talking about... all these are forms within the flock!! ...that’s why He said, watch out for the fruit! ...before you establish a relationship!! ...in Matthew chapter 7 verse 6, there are pigs... and there are dogs... give not what is holy unto dogs... neither spread your pearls before the swine... Matthew 7 verse 6... swine is... a flock of pigs... and dogs... they are around here... in the body... you know the swine? ...they enjoy sinning... as a habit... sin is their culture, and they are in the church... when they lie, you will almost fly... because they will lie you off your feet... you understand what I’m saying? They... and they enjoy it! They seem to only be anointed for sin! ...when they are in sin, they are having the best of times, and they are Christians, can you hear what I’m saying? ...what? Those are pigs... those are what? ...so to open your house and see somebody who lives habitually in sin, and then he is your friend... you are on your way to somewhere else... Then there are dogs! Those are expert repentants... they repent often... everyday... Lord, I’m sorry again... tomorrow? I’m sorry like yesterday... next tomorrow, I’m sorry as always... they are always sorry on everything, a dog returning to his vomit over and over again... a dog returning to his vomit, returning to his vomit, but the pig lives inside the vomit... the pig does what? ...and he enjoys it... he lives inside the vomit, and enjoys it... if you wear gold on your pig... he will just ...the Bishop mimics an unhappy pig... he is looking for his thing, because... this clothes you put on him is a... is nonsense... just looking for... as soon as he leaves the church, he goes back to the mire ...the Bishop mimics a content pig... then, he is enjoying himself there! ...that’s it... pigs! ...and dogs.
Now, let me read this to you and then we close, in Matthew I mean, in Psalm 22 let’s see some... terrible animal forms here... that were there in the flock of Christ... hmm! ...are you there... verse 12, many bulls... have compassed me... strong bulls of Bashan have beset me around... did you see? Psalm 22 verse 12, read together with me everybody... ...congregation reading... did you see that? Bulls... what do I call them? ...what do I call them?! ...so there are bulls... those are wicked beasts, what do I call them? ...wicked beasts... now look at verse 16... for dogs have compassed me, did you see dogs again? ...the assembly of the wicked! ...have enc... have enclosed me... they pierced my hands and my feet... did you see that? Verse 16... now... look at ehn... let’s read verse 20... deliver my soul... from the sword... my darling... from the power of the dog... did you see that? ...they are all there... they are all there... now, save me verse 21... from the lion... from the lion’s mouth... for thou hast heard me... for thou hast what? Heard... me... from the horns of the unicorn... it is that unicorn that operates like a lion... like what? A lion... he said, he goes about roaring... as a roaring lion... a unicorn... exhibits itself like a lion... so, you have the bulls here... and you have the unicorn... these are wicked... forces among the flock... all these are there!! ...leaving you the responsibility to locate yourself appropriately... he that walks with the wise shall be wise! ...and what happens? A follower of fools, shall be destroyed (Proverbs 13:20)... you shall not be destroyed (Claim this in the Name of Jesus!) help me tell your neighbour, you shall not be destroyed... you shall not be destroyed! (Claim this in the Name of Jesus!)
You shall not be destroyed!!
(Claim this in the Name of Jesus!) (Claim this in the Name of Jesus!)
You shall not be destroyed!!!
So, what do I do? ...to secure my destiny... watch! ...come on say what? ...and as you watch... let the fruit be your guide, not the gifts... watch out for the fruit... if the fruits are what you desire, then go ahead in a relationship... over to you, the Lord is here... it is your duty... to choose who you walk with... Paul the apostle said, Be not deceived! ...1st Corinthians 15:33, evil communication does what? Corrupts... and I said it corrupts great destinies... just walk with a wrong person, your life will crash! ...like that... come on say, help me Lord... many problems in homes, they’re externally generated, true or false? ...the Bishop mimics someone... ”you mean your husband said you are a fool... so what did you say, when he said it?”, “I didn’t say anything”, “Ahhh... you’re a fool indeed... nobody can say that to me, ah ah... I will cook the man!”... you now get home, you say... “excuse me, was it me you called a fool yesterday? ...or somebody else?”... one of the bulls... has encountered her... to break her home! ...you will not be destroyed (Claim this in the Name of Jesus!) ...your friend asked a man he said, “How’s your wife doing?”, “wonderful, but the way she cooks meat is a bother to me...”, “your wife cooks meat... so what did you do, when she breaks... when the food is not ready”, “well... you know I’m a believer, i’m a winner”, “Ahh... you’re a dummy... winner?... so you don’t do anything? You say I don’t... your food is not late yet, you will never eat some of the days... what you do is give her a knock on the head, her head will be correct! ...it does not really matter, I’m a member of so and so church, in fact I’m an officer there... you can’t allow nonsense in your house!”...then you get home, and then... “Is
the food ready!!”...the lion has come... she says, “Just a moment”, “Just a what!! ...a moment!! Come here one first... come here first... moment, moment!! It’s not ready again!!” ...the Bishop simulates domestic abuse... because the bull of Bashan has
How can you have a friend who does not desire spiritual growth?! You will never grow that way... How can you have a friend who despises the Word of God and you keep going?! ...you don’t know where you’re going?! ...how can somebody be... mocking your faith?!! ...and you call him my friend... ...tape ends. instructed him...
Closing Statement Bishop David Oyedepo, has just placed in your hands, the key to all-round victory, exploits, success, and unquestionable dominion over all life’s challenges... The end has come to all your struggles in Jesus Name... Please share your testimony with us... write Bishop David Oyedepo PMB 21688 Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria; or call 774 7546, 774 7547, 774 7548, or send your testimony through email Bishop@winnerscanaanland.org and best of all, come hear the man of God live as you worship with us at Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, Kilometre 10, Idiroko road, Otta, on Thursdays 5pm to 7pm, on Sundays,
9am to 11:30 am. You can also http://davidoyedepoministries.org/ .
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“...You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavour? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. You are the light of the world-like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father...” – Jesus Christ (Matthew 5:13 – 16) New Living Translation