David Oyedepo

Welcome to your regular column. Last week, we learnt about two kits in the imagination system — inspiration and supplication. As I conclude this series this week, I will be showing you two other kits that will help you succeed in your family life — preparation and realization.

Preparation: It is common sense for any serious venture to be preceded by proper preparations. This is made clear in scripture. Luke 14:28 says: For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Every action is preceded by a preparation.

Every building project begins with a preparation. The land and the plan of the proposed building must be in place before you can start building. Likewise, every strong move of God is usually preceded by strong preparations. Before the birth of Jesus Christ, God sent John the Baptist ahead, to prepare His way (Mark 1:2-3).

Similarly, without an adequate preparation in your career, business or ministry, it might be difficult to succeed in it. As a matter of fact, the quality of your preparation is what eventually determines the level of your manifestation. Whether you are a pilot, barber, accountant, evangelist, teacher, carpenter, mechanic, driver, petrol attendant or seamstress, you need preparation before you can successfully implement any given task. That is why I say it is a common sense factor.

The level of preparation you put into a thing or project determines the degree of success that will be attained. How much success a man will attain in family life is traceable to how prepared he is for the task at hand. There is no substitute for preparation. This is the basic truth!

I spent 26 months in concerted personal preparations before stepping into ministry. All that time was spent in locating answers to all the questions that I needed answers to. One very important fact you must know is that no one can do your preparation for you. Preparation is a personal responsibility in the school of success. It’s for you to do!

For instance, you don’t rush into marriage; but many today don’t give it the adequate preparation it requires. They meet their partners today, and tomorrow they are married, without adequate preparation for a married life. That is why most often, they start having problems in their homes the following week. Preparation is it!

In my desperation for God in those days, I did just anything to draw me nearer to Him. At one time, I spent seven days reading the Book of Acts of the Apostles, and I had an encounter of a lifetime. At another time, I went up to the mountain to read the Book of Ezekiel and stayed there for three nights. On the third day, God said to me, "Behold, I have touched your tongue with a coal of fire. Henceforth, as you say it, you see it." Those were part of the preparations that became the power base for the work I am doing now.

The time of preparation is when you seek answers to the personal issues connected to the realization of your dream. It is the time when you settle challenging matters related to your particular assignment, by putting things in the correct perspective for success. As you diligently address these issues, God begins to open up diverse depths to you from His Word. So, invest time in God’s Word in getting yourself spiritually, mentally and socially set for your job. You may need to set a day apart for this. Preparation is the key to your manifestation; so don’t joke with it. It’s a vital key to family success.

Realization: This is the actualization of the imagined thing. After having imagined an end, receiving revelations from the Word of God and inspiring people, preparing for the desired end, and after you have perspired in actual work, asking for the help of God in prayer, realization is the next thing. It caps up all that had earlier been done.

You refuse to be discouraged until you get the harvest. Galatians 6:9 says: Let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. Tenacity in preparation and supplication is what leads to the realization of what had been imagined.

You may not see the effect of what you are doing now; but keep at it. Remember the children of Israel went round the wall of Jericho for six days, yet nothing happened until the process was repeated on the seventh day. So, also success is a cumulative effect of several perspirations and supplications. Don’t give up! God is on your side! Too many people give up too soon, and that is why they don’t get to the point of realization.

Success is keeping at your work with perspiration and supplication. Never give up or look back once your imagination has a scriptural backing. As you operate these kits discussed in this series, God’s expected end for you and your family cannot be denied. You will succeed!

Friend, the grace for preparation and realization is available if you are redeemed. You are redeemed (born again or saved) when you confess your sins and accept Jesus as the Lord of your life and your family. If you are ready for it, please say this prayer: Lord Jesus, save me. I come to You today. I am a sinner. I cannot help myself. Forgive me my sins. Cleans me with Your precious blood. Deliver me from sin and Satan, to serve the Living God. From today, I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Now I know I am a child of God.

Friend, our Ministry is getting set for SHILOH 2008, which will hold between December 9 and 13 at the Faith Tabernacle, Canaan Land, Idiroko Road, Ota. Among the highlights of the event tagged, The manifestation of the sons of God, are specialized healing services. God’s Word will work for you as you come! Come for a life-transforming experience! Don’t miss this Shiloh 2008 for anything!

Every exploit in life is a product of knowledge. For further reading, please get my books – Success Systems, Success Strategies and Towards Mental Exploits.

I know this teaching has blessed you. Write and share your testimony with me through: BISHOP DAVID OYEDEPO, Faith Tabernacle, Canaan Land, Ota, P.M.B. 21688, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria; Or call 7747546-8; Or E-mail: bishopoyedepo@yahoo.com