Bishop David Oyedepo: The Power of Training in Fulfilling Destiny!

Topic: The Power of Training in Fulfilling Destiny!

From scriptures, we understand that we have a glorious destiny in Christ. However, training is one of the vital keys in fulfilling that glorious destiny. As children of God, we should be committed to effective and tireless training if we must see our glorious destinies fulfilled. By training, we mean engaging ‘the know-how factor’ in our field of endeavours.  People have great visions but, they lack the know-how. However, it is the know-how that drives our vision to fulfilment.

It is also important to recognise that our impact in life will only answer to the qualitative training we have acquired over time. For instance, I studied Architecture but when Jesus called me into ministry, I had to train myself for it because I had seen a professor fail in ministry. That means my academic capacity was not relevant because ministry is a profession with its own unique skills that must be acquired. So, I selected and studied 39 biographies of great ministries to be relevant in ministry.  By the time I came into full time ministry, I was 39 years ahead and more matured than my colleagues because I have bought into the minds of 39 great ministries which accelerated my success over the years. Therefore, it was an easy flight for me because there was the know-how. When we check through the biography of great leaders, we discover that they sustained their leadership through sustainable readership in their field. Erroneously, there are people in ministry today who have never read any book on ministry. In fact, there are some with a vision of a big church, but they will never learn how a big church is built.  This is because they are using common sense to build an uncommon church. There are some business men who know next to nothing in their businesses. No doubt, many people have great callings but they see little or no results. It is not that their callings are not genuine, but they lack the know-how, which cannot be impacted but acquired.

Furthermore, it is important to understand that schooling is not the same thing as training. Schooling is periodic but training is for life. This is one of the reasons there are many certified but uneducated people in the world. They have degrees but cannot deliver because they are not trained to do so. The account of David in the cave of Abdullam paints a graphic picture of the benefits of training in the life of any man. We saw how David gathered riffraffs under his tutelage and they became the mighty men of David. Although, they were men of no value i.e. human trash, training brought out the treasure in them.  Remember, it is one thing to know where we are going, and yet another to know what it takes to get there (I Samuel 23:8; Ecclesiastes 10:15).

No doubt, many of us know the city but we do not know what it takes to get there. That is where training comes in.

What are the requirements to get to the city?

Learning: Everyone at the top is a committed learner of arts and skills in his or her field. Don’t be deceived, an endowment is not a substitute for the demand of study. No matter the wisdom endowment we have, it is not a substitute for learning the know-how in our field of endeavours.

Discipline: This represents maintaining an orderly life. It is operating as demanded not as convenient. We need self-discipline to make any progress in life. Therefore let’s discipline ourselves so much that people would identify us only with our divine assignment on earth. In other words, go the extra mile, pay the extra price, take the extra steps and we will see ourselves at the top in no time.

Diligence: This means hard work. Many years ago, I saw in my Bible: Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men Proverbs (22:29).  From that scripture, I understood that how much we invest, in terms of time, energy and resources in our destinies today, would determine to a large extent where we stand tomorrow. In other words, it is the quality of our work that defines our ultimate worth. This is because there is no future for the idle man in the Kingdom. This is why the Bible says: Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap (Galatians 6:7). Therefore, the harder we work, the greater our level of delivery. If we are not hard workers, we would live hard lives.

Sacrifice: Sacrifice is going the extra mile, taking the extra steps and paying the extra price to deliver our vision. However, if it doesn’t cost us anything, then it is not a sacrifice. David said: …Neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the Lord my God of that which doth cost me nothing… (2 Samuel 24:24).

As we all know, there is no star without a scar. It takes the key of sacrifice, to gain access into the realm of sweat-less success. We must always remember that the benefits of sacrifice always outweigh its cost. Many want the success, but they don’t like the sacrifice because they forget that the cost is never greater than the glory. That’s why whenever it’s time to sacrifice, we must ignore the present and look to the future. For instance, Jesus for the joy that was set before Him endured the inconveniences of the cross, the beatings and the pains, so that we can be partakers of His glory (Hebrews 12:1-2).

In conclusion, I like you to understand therefore, that while everyone is a potential leader, only those who are willing to pay the price ever emerge a leaders. Thus, if we must actualise the destiny that God has ordained for us, we must be committed to effective and tireless training

Nevertheless, one step to successful living is being born-again. If you are not born-again, you are not entitled to it. Are you born again? If you are not, this is an opportunity to do so. Simply say the following prayer: Lord Jesus, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me my sins. Cleanse me with Your precious Blood. Today, I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Thank You Jesus for saving me! Now I know I am born again!”  For further reading, please get my books: Success Strategies, Success Systems, Maximising Destiny, Exploring the Secrets of Success. I invite you to come and fellowship with us at the Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, Ota, the covenant home of Winners. We have five services on Sundays, holding at 6:00 a.m., 7:50 a.m., 9:40 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 1:20 p.m. respectively.

I know this teaching has blessed you. Write and share your testimony with me through: Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, Ota, P.M.B. 21688, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria; or call 01-4548070, 01-4548280; or E-mail: feedback@lfcww.org