Pastors come to ask me HOW THEY CAN WRITE A LOT OF BOOKS. They expect me to start telling them several principles and methods. But I have just a statement for them: TEACH A SERIES, RECORD AND GET SOMEONE TO TRANSCRIBE”. If you do that, 70% of the job is done. A series on faith for instance can give you three books on faith. Even if you don’t want to extract up to three, it will give you at least one. Then, you take another series on Prosperity and turn it into a book. That’s how it is done. If you see Baba Areogun, ask him. Many of Bishop Oyedepo’s books today are a product of his recorded seminars (series).

GET A RECORDER.

I was given a budget of 500k in 2015 if we want our messages recorded. After spending 75k on a PA System that they said has a recording feature only to realize it was ineffective, I got a digital mobile recorder for!!! Guess? 6k. Yes. Six Thousand Naira. Today, it costs 11k. I got one this month. Just type “Digital Voice Recorder” on JUMIA. You will see varieties. Ensure you get the one with a microphone and always use it with the mic. It makes lots of difference. The battery can last for several hours or days. You should charge only with a power bank or laptop. The recorded audio clip can also be transferred to the laptop for further editing on Audacity or whatever software you are used to.

SERMONIZED TRANSCRIPT

There’s a difference between a sermon and a book. Many pastors do not realize this, especially the whites (because they write more). If your sermon is transcribed, the person is likely to have sermonized it. Thus, it may become unnecessarily bulky or filled with repetitions. That is why some books bore you when you read them. You shouldn’t let your book look like a sermon. It shouldn’t just be a “copy n paste”.

I will tell you how to get it done properly and other details.

TRANSCRIBERS

There are three categories of transcribers. The first is NON-GRAMMATICAL TRANSCRIBERS. They don’t care much about the English. They just write what you said. They may not punctuate correctly. No paragraphing, headings and so on. If you work with such a transcript, you still need to rewrite it. You may also have to overwrite in many cases.

The next is BROADCASTING TRANSCRIBE. In this case, the person is grammatically inclined. They will include proper punctuation and even add some headings. This is what most people turn into books immediately after editing and formatting. Of which it shouldn’t end here. It makes books unnecessarily bulky and full of repetition. That’s why you get bored when reading some books. They sound more like a sermon than a book. There should be a difference between books and sermons.

The third is EDITORIAL TRANSCRIBING.

I just give them names to make the explanation clearer. There are few professionals that can get this done for you. The first is a book writer. They transcribe as if they are making the book already. They will delete repetitions, rephrase, paraphrase, add headings, sub-headings and even some formatting. Another person that can do this for you is an experienced book editor.

When you’re done with the transcribing, move to editing, formatting and publishing. Refer to my previous article to do it yourself or appoint someone.

Meanwhile, you can also transcribe your sermon by yourself. In fact, it may be more efficient if you don’t get the best hand. It will save you time as well. If you are doing it yourself while transcribing ensure that the only thing you do is transcribing and not rewriting. If you have anything to add, keep it for later.

I think say I don try. We will end the series here. Thus far, I believe have attended to all questions that ensued and I am still available to attend to more.

My biggest advice- YOU HAVE ALL IT TAKES TO WRITE A BOOK, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?

Tonight, the LORD will have me talk about GIVING TO YOUR TEACHER. I don’t know if you like to hear it or not. As a person, it’s not a topic that I do teach. But God asked me to teach it. That was last week. Sadozites are wonderful people. I must tell you, I don’t have any reason to complain. So, there’s nothing like wanting to talk about it out of anger. Lol.

And do you know what? Last week, when God told me to talk about it, I objected but He convinced me. Between that day and today (one week), I have received monetary gifts from Sadozites to a volume that I have not seen this year. What’s my point? Phi 4:17 Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. I know teaching you this and understanding it will be a BLESSING to you.

Look at this: 2Co 10:6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled. There’s something called FULL OBEDIENCE. Have you tried to enter a password before and you miss just one letter? Did it work? Kingdom Prosperity, especially in terms like this, only works on FULL OBEDIENCE.

One of the vital digits in the password to financial breakthrough is GIVING TO YOUR TEACHER. Some doors won’t open. Some prayers won’t answer. Some situations won’t bow. Some blessings won’t even be SPOKEN until you exchange hands with your teacher. 1Co 9:11 If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things? Can you see the law of sowing and reaping here? Angels are doing the exchange under certain rules. You sow the carnal to get the spiritual. Do you know I never moved into a level of financial breakthrough until I made it a habit to give 10% of all my income to my spiritual father? That’s aside the 10% to Sadoz.

Let me make it clear. I didn’t say UNTIL you do what I did. I am talking about what happened to me. On my ordination, I arranged to wear a native wear but we prepared for our seed to my spiritual father. It is a seed. Your teacher is your prophet. He teaches you, you grow, and it turns out for your good…what did you give to him? He blesses you and you say AMEN. What did you give? Why would Jacob request venison before he could bless his children? Gen. 27:3-4 And make me savory meat, such as I love, and bring it to me, that my soul may bless thee before I die.

Why couldn’t he bless Esau later on after eating? There’s something called PROVOKED blessings. It is only gifts that can draw it out. The man of God doesn’t have to say much word. Prov.18: 16 A man’s gift maketh room for him and bringeth him before great men. If you think this verse is talking about talent, you have been taught wrongly.

Let me show you the Hebrew word and meaning used. To move to a level of greatness, giving to your teacher is not a suggestion, it is a must. Like I told you, I have no issues. I am always blessed and filled. God had told me: if you obey me and practice what you teach, I will bless you whether your members give to you or not. But I won’t lie to you, Sadozites are giving to me. For instance, someone sends me an allowance for data every month. So, you can say that I AM ENJOYING.

There used to be a group of people that bought foodstuffs for me every month until I told them to stop. They didn’t want to stop, they started furnishing my office. I was able to disband the group. Do you know why I disbanded it? Some were joining them, they didn’t partake in giving but wanted to know everything they do. I don’t want a kind of gossip. I am talking of the year 2017. I am really loved and I know it. I don’t need to teach so that you can give. Just today, I told some people that they shouldn’t have bought the clothes they bought for me and my wife, though we appreciated it.

One time, my whole wardrobe was changed by some people. I got a new set of clothes entirely. That was in 2020 or so? Someone would say – “pastors are enjoying us”. Well, I don’t know of other pastors but me, I am. You can also go and become a pastor. What’s my point tonight – whatever I teach you on this subject, it is not for me, but for you. I want you to have full obedience and a full testimony. GIVING WITH UNDERSTANDING You can’t get the reward of giving to your teacher without having the right understanding. You can’t stay blessed under a man and never gave to him! Not even in the last eight months of this year.

2. What you give cannot be too much Compare what you give to what you have received from the same person spiritually? 3. It can’t be too small I know some are shy to give because they feel it’s too small. I felt that way too. 1. It is a seed. All seeds are always small. 2. You will grow as you give 4. It is an investment Some ask, should I meet my need or give to my teacher? Think of it this way: you are not losing when you give, you are investing. Gen 8:22 While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest. Should I give to the poor or my teacher? Give to the poor what belongs to the poor and to your teacher what belongs to him; else, you rob yourself. Should I give to my parents or my teacher?

Give to your parent what belongs to them and your teacher what belongs to them. At times, you invest so that you can have more to share with your people. 5. See your seed as an honor and not helping him Abraham rejected the gifts of the kings so that they won’t brag over him in the future. Gen 14:23 That I will not take from a thread even to a shoelatchet, and that I will not take any thing that is thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich. Those who do know their God shall be strong and do exploits. If you give to me and get puffed up, I will humble you. Some of you have given me stuff and I called to question the source! Because what they give is more than what I expect as their capacity. I don’t accept until they explain.

Someone sent money to my account yesterday, he said for SADOZ project, I said I am not SADOZ. I blessed him and channeled his money to SADOZ. I also gave him SADOZ account number. Someone used to give me a certain amount but one day, she doubled it. I called to ask her what

what happened. She said she wanted to send some to SADOZ. I told her it is different. A teacher and a pastor heading somewhere don’t joke with their honor in God. If I bless you spiritually without being puffed up, should you get puffed up when you give to me? Sadozites are not guilty of this anyway. I trust my children in the Lord. And I fully appreciate them! I am only teaching you what is right.

See it as an honor, give it honorably. Thank God for the privilege to be a blessing to His servant. Because God will always find a way to feed His Elijah even if you are not available. God used animals to feed Elijah when need comes for it. When I stopped that foodstuff, I tell you, it was when I just got married and we were living on whatever we got. But no, I rather go hungry than have mixed multitudes. 7. Don’t say they have enough, they don’t need my gift Listen, the soil never needs the seed, it is the seed that needs the soil. People give to me and get blessed so my wife also started giving to me. I am her teacher and prophet, isn’t it? Do you think my spiritual father needs my money?

I was sending 500 naira to him back then. That was in 2019. Today, huhmmmm, I have increased. Yet if I don’t give him, he can’t feel it. Never said your teacher has enough. Do you have enough? Do you need more blessings? Mat 10:41 He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward. Mar 9:41 For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.

AVENUES FOR GIVING Sort every opportunity to give as there is no time you can’t give. But there’s something we seldom do in SADOZ at birthdays. Mummy had a birthday the last time isn’t it and some people got her a gift. I decided to ask the treasurer how much was raised and how many people gave. My people, the answer is not good enough. She said 31k. About 16 people contributed it. We have not less than 100 sisters here and up to 50 people signified willingly that they wanted to be part of it. Now, she isn’t complaining, and I have no reason to complain on her behalf. At least one person gave her almost x2 of that. So, why would there be any grumble.

I told you, God will get through to his people anyhow. But it’s all for our good! I know another person, one person that gave her about half of that on her own. So, you see there’s no justification to complain here. I am only teaching you. Here, NO ONE WILL COMPEL YOU TO GIVE TO HIM, YOU WILL ONLY BE TAUGHT. Blessedness of Giving to your teacher Many have been pointed out already. Just take this as a bonus. LAST KEY TO TOUR OPEN HEAVEN. Hosea 12: 13 And by a prophet the LORD brought Israel out of Egypt, and by a prophet was he preserved. 2 Chron. 20:20 Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper. The same man that teaches you and you believe, if he prays for you God will answer.

My wife got a toy for our daughter, that one looks like an Octopus. The African man in me was alarmed “WHAT IS THIS? BLOOD OF JESUS! HOPE IT’S NOT?”

The New Man asked calmly: who created the Octopus 🐙 in the first place, Satan or God?

Scriptures began to jump forward:

When God created all things including the Octopus, He said it was VERY GOOD.

God speaking to Peter said: whatever I have called clean, do not call it unclean.

I looked at the toy, smiled and blessed it. Welcome new toy.

Recently, another toy came in. Guess the image “Dinosaur”. The toy will even sing: “I am your friend Dinosaur” 🦕.

The night I came in and saw it, the African man in me wanted to scream again but the inner man covered his mouth with his hand! “Stop saying nonsense”.

I blessed the Dinosaur toy.

I came in the next day and my wife said they have given the toy the name “Diane”. (Sorry if your name is Diane and you feel bad). But naming things is a weapon as well.

Whatever name Adam named the animals was the name they bear to date. If you call your toy “demonic”, it answers that. If you name it otherwise, it goes on. Death and life are on your tongue.

But…but…
You have to be fortified. If you will taste what others around you call poison then, you must have a poison neutralizer

I can dare where others fear not because I am naturally bold but because I am scripturally bold.

What am I saying?
Don’t just say: it cannot affect me. GET WHAT IT TAKES FOR IT NOT TO AFFECT YOU. And it’s not hard to do, JUST THE WORD.

Heb 4:12 For the word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword.

Our topic for today is Rudiments of Courtship. You need to know that every individual, family, and situation is unique. The same way, every courtship is unique. There are no two situations that look exactly the same due to various reasons which could range from background, individual differences, and personalities that are involved. Though, we can see similar situations or courtship, none is a duplicate of the other. What worked well for one couple might not work so well for another🤷🏽‍♀️. However, there are some principles that work for everyone in spite of the differences. Those principles serve as an almighty formula that always works when properly applied to relationships. Let’s visit the foundation because if the foundation be destroyed, what shall the righteous do🤷🏽‍♀️. Many unpalatable situations we see in relationships today could be traced to a faulty foundation. Many do not even understand what they are into, and when the purpose of a thing is not known, abuse they say is inevitable🙇🏽‍♀️. Let’s start by re-defining courtship🌚.

You need to know that it is not all relationships between a man and a lady that are courtship. Just thinking it is courtship does not make it one🌚. Courtship is the relationship between a man and a woman with marriage in view. It involves a man and a woman going out together as an intending couple with a stated or an understood goal of marriage with the leading of the Holy Spirit. Did you notice the sentence, Marriage in view and the leading of the Holy Spirit? There is no Christian courtship without the leading of the Holy Spirit. It is His leading that makes a Christian courtship and not the fact that both individuals go to church or are from a pastor’s family🤷🏽‍♀️.

1. Christian courtship is a courtship that has the Holy Spirit as its foundation.

It comprises the Holy Spirit and two mature individuals who have yielded their entirety to the Holy Spirit. The Scripture says those who are led by the Spirit of God are the sons of God. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. Romans.

Another important aspect of the definition is that marriage must be in view. Courtship is not for people who just want to indulge in each other’s emotions but for people who know what they are signing up for. If you do not have marriage in mind or you do not see yourself getting married anytime soon, and especially with that person, then you have no business being in a courtship. You should rather work on your business, career, academics, and other areas while you gain momentum for marriage. When I say marriage in view, I am not talking about some emotional ecstasy or butterfly that is moving in your tummy that makes you feel you could get married soon even though both or none of you is mature career-wise.

2. Dating is not God’s route to courtship or marriage.

   Some try to argue that the reason they go into a dating relationship is so they can get a better view of the person they are planning to be committed to later on so that they will be sure that is the right person for them. It is more like a trial and error. The Bible says that as the heaven is far above your head so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. He also says that He has His own standard, process, and methodology which stands sure.

3. MY HEART DESIRES VS. GOD’S WILL.

   You need to know that God’s will is not a person; God’s will is a concept. If you do not want to miss out on God’s will, you have to learn how not to lean not on your own understanding and trust in God absolutely. It is the heart of God that you should search out because His secret is with those that fear Him – Psalms 25:14. The Bible clearly says that the heart of man is desperately wicked; you can’t know it! You are going to fail trying to discern a fellow man with your own reasoning. You can’t know it by staying with them for a long period; you can’t know it by hanging around them. Rather, except God shows it to you, you can’t even imagine it. You can’t get it by studying them. It is God who will reveal the right person to you. To have an issue following God’s leading is simply saying to God: can I really trust you? The heart [is] deceitful above all [things;] and desperately wicked: who can know it? Jeremiah 17:9. If you need anything to assure you that God is dependable, remember His word.

4. How should a Courtship start?

   Prior to that point of acceptance, there is no courtship. Courtship hasn’t started until a brother proposes and a sister has accepted. You have to confirm your convictions with trusted people who are not emotionally involved as you are because what you are about to get into is quite emotional and you could be manipulated. Brothers, when God has spoken to you and you have confirmed what God has said from the mouth of two or three witnesses and you are ready to do God’s will, then you should open your mouth and speak. Don’t approach someone if you haven’t settled down with the fact that you are spending the rest of your lives together; don’t go to meet them and tell them you are only meeting them because God says so. That is why you need another person to confirm with you. Whatever it is that you have with God, settle it with Him and don’t bring a lady into your indecision. Don’t bring her onboard and subject her to statements such as: “I just want to manage you or I am only managing you.” When you are done with your convictions, do not send signals to her. Open your mouth and talk. Don’t just go around her and be perambulating for years thinking she will figure it all out. If you do this, you will be heartbroken. If the lady is serious with her life and has other proposals, she will pray about them and be gone. Open your mouth and talk. A closed mouth is a closed destiny. Ladies, when a brother has opened up his mind to you through conversation, and you are convinced of going with him in this lifetime journey, you have prayed and you are convinced you’re going to spend the rest of your life together. After fulfilling all righteousness by patiently consulting with people concerned around you, open your mouth and acknowledge that you have accepted his proposal. Make sure you speak affirmative words. Say the word: Yes, I will marry you in very clear terms. Do not say let’s go on and see how things would turn out. If you say that, then you are a deceiver and that guy should probably watch out for you. It’s most likely that you intend to put him on hold while you eye other men. Respond with the mind of being led by God and not that of uncertainty. Any relationship you can’t trace how it started is not right. “One thing led to the other” kind of relationship is a no-do🙇🏽‍♀️. If your relationship came about because “one thing led to the other” and you fell in love along the way, it is a failure and disappointment in disguise. If you can’t lay your hand on any mutual agreement between you two as the foundation of your relationship with God’s backing, it will end up in regret. Nothing was defined in the relationship so, anyone can opt out at any time.

5. Duration of Courtship.

   Even if an individual is pretending, they can’t do it for long. A short courtship might have worked for some people as exceptions, but it does not mean it is right or that it will work for you. Regardless, it is a big-time risk. If 100 people enter into a marriage with a short courtship, only 5 of them may likely succeed, and the rest 95 will fail woefully. Those 5 succeeding still do not make it right. Anything less than 1 year is too short and you have just succeeded in preparing for a ceremony alone and not marriage. From experience also, anything longer than 3 years is too long as it gives a breeding space for fornication.

You want to know more? Get my book, Principles of Courtship