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Tag: unlimited power

  • Understanding the unlimited power of faith!

    Welcome to another impactful week! I hope you were blessed by last week teaching. Today, we shall focus on Unveiling the Unlimited Power of Faith!

    From scriptures, we discover that faith is the master key for taking the delivery of our inheritances in Christ. As it is written: Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth (Mark 9:23).

    But, what is unique about Faith?

    • Faith is a Spiritual Treasure of Inestimable Value: This means we cannot place value on it because it is far beyond what can be measured. Therefore, faith is the answer to every problem of life. For instance, when Jesus’ disciples asked Him why they couldn’t deliver the boy possessed with demons, Jesus said: …Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you (Matthew 17:20; see also Matthew 15:28). Faith is also the answer to the breakthroughs we desire (Hebrews 11:30; Luke 5:3-8).
    • It is the Covenant Trigger for the Manifestation of the Power of God: Faith triggers the flow of virtue, which brings about our healing, health and wholeness. For instance, we saw from the Scripture that the woman with the issue of blood touched the hem of Jesus’ garment by faith and she was made perfectly whole. Her faith simply triggered the flow of virtue that ended her shame and reproach. This shows that when we exercise faith, virtue is triggered for our healing and deliverances (Luke 8:44-48). We must understand that faith is our covenant access to the power of God in the Word. When our faith in the Word comes alive, God’s power flows supernaturally and changes our situations. That means, without faith, we cannot see the power of God and without the power of God, we cannot be healed, delivered or set free. That’s why we must strive to invest in building our faith so we can take delivery of our redemptive packages (Romans 1:16).
    • Faith has the capacity to dominate the world of the spirit by quenching all the fiery darts of the devil: When faith comes alive, we tap into the power of God that no other power can confront. It is by faith that we dominate the world of the spirit and ‘have it the way we want’ in spite of fiery opposing forces (Ephesians 6:16).
    • Faith brings God’s hand to bear on a man’s life for exploits: Faith brings God’s hand to bear on our situations and when He stretches forth His hand, no one can turn it back (Isaiah 14:27, 43:14, 53:1). This is why no force from hell can stop faith from having its way (Matthew 19:26; Hebrews 11:32-34).

    How Unlimited is the Power of Faith?

    It is important to recognise that everything in redemption belongs to us but only what we believe is released. This is because any truth of scriptures we receive and believe, commits God to empower us to realise it. That is, we must believe the Word before we can be empowered to become what it says (John 1:12). Also, we discover that faith holds the answer to all the questions of our lives. This is because faith, as a virtue, has unlimited power to deliver at anytime everything that pertains to us in God. This was why when the blind men met Jesus for their healing, He said to them: According to your faith be it unto you (Matthew 9:29). Furthermore, we understand from scriptures that there is no irreversible case with faith. For example, when one of the rulers of the synagogue told Jairus not to disturb Jesus because his daughter was dead, the Bible records: But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole (Luke 8:50). From this scripture, it is therefore evident that faith has the capacity to revert any situation. Moreover, when Martha told Jesus that Lazarus was already dead for four days, He replied: …Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God? (John 11:39-40). Thus, through faith, Jairus’ daughter and Lazarus came back to life. That’s how powerful faith is!

    However, it is important to note that obedience is the only biblical validity of faith (James 2:18). We understand from scriptures that Abraham’s faith was validated by his obedience. Moreover, at the wedding in Cana of Galilee when the wine was exhausted, Mary told the servants: Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it (John 2:5; see also Genesis 12:1-4, 17:10-11, 23, 22:1-3).Thus, faith does not just believe God; it obeys Him to prove our faith in Him to make good His promise. Thus, we must understand that the worth of any man’s life in the Kingdom is a function of the faith at work in him. That’s why the Bible says …the just shall live by his faith (Habakkuk 2:4; see also Romans 1:17; Galatians 3:11; Hebrews 10:38). Also, faith has the capacity to exempt any man from the horrors of life (1 John 5:4; Psalm 91:7-8; Matthew 9:29). Faith deflates every pressure and brings us to the realm of divine pleasure. All these make faith an asset of inestimable value.

    In summary, we must understand that though a revelation of the Word shows us our redemptive rights, it is faith that enforces its release/delivery in our lives. This is why it is not enough to have revelation; it must be mixed with faith in our hearts before we can partake of the profits therein (Hebrews 4:2). Thus, doing what is required to build our faith for maximum impact is worth it. Remember, nothing of value is free. We must, therefore, pay the price to build our faith and labour to destroy unbelief through commitment to continuous study of God’s Word and other anointed materials, so we can enter into His rest. However, to experience the unlimited power of faith you must be born again. 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 personal Saviour. Thank You Jesus for saving me! Now I know I am born again!” For further reading, please get my books: Unlimited Power of Faith, Exploits of Faith, Born to Win and Satan get Lost. 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; Face book: www.facebook.com/davidoyedepoministries/;  Twitter: @DavidOyedepoMin

  • Has National Assembly unlimited power over budget?

    Has National Assembly unlimited power over budget?

    THE House of Representatives budget padding scandal has thrown up more than ever before the question of the processes and the extent of scrutiny the appropriation bill can be subjected to.

    What actually constitutes padding has also been raised by the raging controversy.

    The degree National Assembly can tinker, swap, mutilate, evaluate, vet, deface, inspect or disfigure the budget as laid by the president has equally became a subject of intense debate.

    The question remains, who owns the power of appropriation, the Executive or the Legislature?

        What is certain however, Nigerians want a new approach to the country’s budget process; an open and transparent process that will show the people what is involved at every stage of the budget making.

    Director General, National Institute for Legislative Studies, Dr. Ladi Hamalai, bared her mind on the budget padding controversy. She also dwelt on the necessity for budget reform in the National Assembly, the appropriation process and National Assembly engagement with the budget.

    For the NILS DG, the National Assembly on the basis of its constitutional powers, can tinker with the budget based on oversight functions because the lawmakers conduct oversight visits to monitor government institutions and on-going projects.

    In the aftermath of their visits, she said lawmakers can recommend increased funding to a government project or institution where they consider the need for such is expedient.

    Hamalai further said National Assembly can tinker the budget through public hearings and budget defence sessions.

    It was also her submission that based on the outcomes of submissions and arguments by ministries, departments and agencies, the National Assembly can “increase, reduce or re-assign allocations to ensure successful project implementation and value for money. For instance, defence spending can be

    increased to respond to certain needs or requests by the military or service chiefs, she said.

    Stressing further National Assembly’s engagement with the budget she talked about the controversial constituency or zonal intervention projects.

    Zonal intervention projects, she are usually a negotiated amount between the National Assembly and the executive.

    For instance, in 2016, after due consideration, President Muhammadu Buhari approved N100 billion for regional and constituency projects to be part of the 2016 Appropriation Act, she explained.

    The DG also spoke about what she tagged as “policy driven additions” describing the additions as “the most debated form of tinkering by the legislature in addition to the negotiated sum for constituency projects.

    For her “usually, lawmakers find ways to tinker with the budget to accommodate policy additions either by adjusting allocations proposed by the executive or by

    reviewing the executive’s crude oil price benchmark.”

    Hamalai submitted that “in effect therefore, it is a bit of a ’misnomer’ to refer to the National Assembly’s engagement with the budget as ‘padding,’ where such refers to ‘artificial inflation of a proposed budget.”

    She explained, “The Constitution confers legislative discretion to the National Assembly with regards the budget. In the exercise of its appropriation powers, the National Assembly does not inflate budgetary items. Instead, the National Assembly removes, introduces projects or amends estimates sent to it by the Executive in the Appropriation Bill.”

    The DG does not however rule out “personal interests as these often creep in to override national interests.”

    She does not say how the creeping in of “personal interests” can be dealt with in the overall interest of a corruption free budget process.

    On lawmakers and constituency projects in the budget it was her submission that there is constitutional justification for constituency projects.

    Constituency intervention projects, she contended, seek to ensure equitable and even distribution of infrastructural development projects. To buttress her point, the DG cited sections 14 (3), 15 (4), 16 (1) and (2), and Sections 13 (1) of the 1999 constitution, which she said placed on the National Assembly the responsibility of ensuring that projects are evenly distributed to all federal constituencies in Nigeria.

    Hamalai was quick to add that the introduction of constituency projects into the budget is an internal process of the National Assembly

    Respective legislators, she said, “write formally to either the President of the Senate or the Speaker requesting specific projects for their constituency.

    “These requests are subsequently collated and sent to the appropriations committee of both chambers for consideration and possible inclusion in the budget. Successful projects get appropriations under the relevant MDAs.

    “In many parliaments, Appropriation Committees concede significant projects to leadership of parliaments by virtue of their position.”

    She submitted that “Constituency projects are considered legitimate and pass through the due process of open budgeting channels and the details (including name, location and of these projects) are accessible to the public in the Appropriation Act.”

    The DG did not forget to say that the processing and award of contract for execution of the project are “squarely the responsibility of the Executive branch.”

    She said lawmakers can, however, recommend ‘qualified’ contractors to MDAs for execution of the projects.

    For the DG, “constituency projects are not unique to Nigeria and they are not entirely out of place in democracies where legislators work for re-election.”

    Constituency service, she observed, is now seen as central to ideas of parliamentary representation by the public and politicians in many parts of the world.

    Variants of such constituency and zonal intervention projects exist in several countries in Africa, Asia, and North and South America including Bhutan, Ghana, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Malaysia, Mongolia, Namibia, Nepal, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Rwanda, Solomon Islands, Southern Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

    She contended that in many of these countries, constituency intervention projects are regulated by an Act of Parliament.

    On legality and constitutionality of constituency intervention projects, she posited that in Philippines the Court ruled that the Philippines Constitution gives Congress the “power of the purse” and that “the power of appropriation carries with it the power to specify the project or activity to be funded under the appropriation law. It can be as detailed and as broad as Congress wants it to be.”

    In India, she noted that “the Indian court emphasized that the role of members of parliament (MPs) under the Indian CDF is limited to recommending projects, which are to be implemented by local authorities. The Court was satisfied that the MPs are not given an executive responsibility and satisfied that there are adequate checks and balances in the programme within parliament, and through project guidelines and annual reporting requirements.”

    In Nigeria she recalled that the issue of the legality of constituency and zonal intervention projects has not been tested against the constitution.

    There have been attempts in the past to approach the Supreme Court for an interpretation of where the power of appropriation lies.

    In 2009, President Umaru Yar’Adua following a budget impasse sought the Supreme Court interpretation. However, the case was subsequently withdrawn after the Executive and the National Assembly settled out of court.

    Hamalai’s conclusion was that the Executive arm of government has to lay the Appropriation Bill, “but the National Assembly has unlimited powers to work and approve the budget.”

  • Understanding the unlimited power of faith! (3)

    In previous editions of this three-part series, we established that the mystery of faith is simply doing whatever God instructs, through His Word, to prove that we believe Him to make good His promise. Last week, we began to examine some qualities that make the mystery of faith unique. In this week’s edition, we shall yet look at another quality embedded in the mystery of faith, which is:

    • Faith turns situation to testimonies: The mystery of faith has power to turn our situations to testimonies through corresponding actions. As it is written: Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works (James 2:18).

    Again, the Bible says: …for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed (1 Samuel 2:3).

    Faith delivers based on corresponding actions on the issues of concern because God ONLY acts at the instance of faith-based actions. For instance, tithing is God’s gateway to a world of financial fortune and until it is engaged, financial struggles will continue. Also, God will not rescue us from sin until we repent. To be blessed, we must remain a blessing to those in need around us. Furthermore, to be free from the harassment of the powers of darkness, we must allow the truth of God’s Word to illuminate our lives. In addition, we can’t pray for peace in our homes, we must subscribe to the demand of “love your wife as Christ love the church; and wives, submit yourself to your own husband.” Therefore, it is acting on God’s Word in faith, in any situation or circumstance of life, that commits Him to deliver. Remember, everything about faith places definite demand on those who desire it. No action, no access.

    In conclusion, we recognise from scriptures that in the Kingdom, it is to everyone according to his faith. As it is written: Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you (Matthew 9:29).

    Therefore, investment in building our faith must be a lifelong venture. This is because the ultimate of faith is to usher us into the realm of rest both in time and eternity. The Bible says: There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief (Hebrews 4:9-11).

    When our faith ushers us into the realm of rest, we commit God to take over our battles and when He takes over, our victory is 110% guaranteed. This is because God cannot be defeated in any battle. That’s what makes faith a mystery (Exodus 14:14; Psalms 46:10; James 2:18).

    Therefore, it is important for us to build our faith in consistent Word practice in order to access our inheritances in redemption. Though we are ordained living proofs in redemption but until our faith is built to the capacity of what God has in store for us, our inheritances will remain a daydream. I pray that as you activate your faith through the Word this year, you will encounter the invisible God, Who will empower you to dare the impossible and achieve the unbelievable! Remain ever blessed!

    Are you born again and have you accepted Jesus Christ as your Saviour and Lord. If you haven’t, you can say this prayer and you will be born again: “Lord Jesus, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me of my sins. Cleanse me with Your precious Blood. Deliver me from sin and satan to serve the Living God. 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: Unlimited Power of Faith, Born To Win, Breaking The Curse Of life and Winning Invisible Battles.

    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., 7:35 a.m., 9:10 a.m., 10:45 a.m. and 12:20 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

  • Understanding the unlimited power of faith!

    From scriptures, we discover that faith is one of the principal mysteries of the Kingdom. This is because as far as God is concerned, faith is key to accessing all that He has in store for us in His Kingdom. That is why Jesus said: …If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth (Mark 9:23; see also 1 Timothy 3:9).

    Also, when Martha told Jesus that Lazarus was already dead for four days and was stinking, He replied: …Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God? (John 11:39-40).

    Thereafter, Jesus called Lazarus out of the grave and he that was dead, came alive. That means, faith was the principal force that brought Lazarus back to life. Thus, resident in the Mystery of Faith is a dynamo that has the capacity to turn any negative situation around and deliver our desired results.

    “Mystery” in this context connotes Kingdom secrets imbedded in scriptures. It can also be defined as divine revelations from scriptures that are wrapped up in biblical simplicities. For instance, when the servants at the wedding in Cana poured water into pots as instructed by Jesus, it became wine that was sweeter than the ones bought. Also, when Naaman dipped himself in River Jordan seven times as instructed by Elisha, the Bible records that …his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean (2 Kings 5:14; see also Mark 9:29; John 2:5-9).

    The mystery of faith is simply doing whatever God instructs, through His Word, to prove that we believe Him to make good His promise. There is no chemical research that can unravel Kingdom mysteries and faith is one of such mysteries that is superior to science. It is a scriptural mystery that can neither be diagnosed nor disproved scientifically. That is why only God’s Word can unravel the mystery of faith.

    But, what is Faith?

    • Faith is a spiritual platform through which God’s integrity is committed for supernatural intervention: For instance, when the three Hebrew men were sentenced to the burning fiery furnace for refusing to worship a golden image, one of them said: If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up (Daniel 3:17-18).

    This committed God’s integrity to perform because one of His commandments states: Thou shalt have no other gods before me (Exodus 20:3; see also Exodus 20:1-6).

    As a result, God showed up in the fiery furnace, consumed the effect of the fire because He is the Consuming Fire and made it a cool room before the Hebrew men were thrown in (Daniel 3:19-30).

    We must recognise that when we engage the mystery of faith, we provoke God’s integrity for supernatural intervention when challenged. The moment we take a stand for God, we commit Him to deliver His promises. However, it is important to mention that God will only fight for us when we are still. For instance, despite the fact that the furnace was heated seven times more, the Bible records that the three Hebrew men walked majestically into the fire, trusting God and He stepped in. When we become still in any situation and circumstance of our lives, God takes over and when He does, the victory is sure (Exodus 14:14; Daniel 3:24-26).

    However, we must understand that being still in any situation and circumstance of life for God to intervene, begins with us accepting Jesus as our Saviour and Lord. When we do so, God becomes our heavenly Father, and we all know that no parent will watch his or her child suffer. This is one of the benefits, among many, that are accrued to you when you become born again. If you are yet to be born again and you desire to, you can say this prayer: “Lord Jesus, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me of my sins. Cleanse me with Your precious Blood. Deliver me from sin and satan to serve the Living God. 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: Unlimited Power of Faith, Born To Win, Breaking The Curse Of life and Winning Invisible Battles.

    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., 7:35 a.m., 9:10 a.m., 10:45 a.m. and 12:20 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