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	<title>Growth &#8211; City of God OAU</title>
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	<title>Growth &#8211; City of God OAU</title>
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		<title>God Still Honours Faith: A Testimony of How God Built Through Faith</title>
		<link>https://cityofgodoau.org/god-still-honours-faith-a-testimony-of-how-god-built-through-faith/</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[admin<span class="bp-verified-badge"></span>]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 05 Aug 2026 08:46:28 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Exhortation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Encouragement]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Faith]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Growth]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Life]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Optimism]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://cityofgodoau.org/?p=23883</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[When forced to leave their comfortable rented home, Temitope and his wife faced mounting financial pressure and uncertain times. Yet, guided by faith and a divine prompt, they took a bold step to sell a car to initiate building a home they couldn't afford. Temitope recounts how simple obedience, radical sacrifice, and unwavering trust transformed a daunting trial into a miraculous reality.]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">There are moments in life when God asks you to take a step that makes absolutely no sense. This is the story of one of those moments.</p>



<span id="more-23883"></span>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">After our wedding in 2017, my wife and I lived in a comfortable rented apartment for about five years. Life was stable. We were the only tenants in the compound, our landlord never increased the rent, and we had grown comfortable.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Then, without warning, everything changed.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Our landlord informed us that he had decided to sell the property. Although he was a kind man, the news came as a shock. Suddenly, we had to begin searching for another apartment.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">What made the situation even more difficult was that I had just resigned from my paid employment to start my own company. There was no financial safety net, no guaranteed income, and no certainty about what the future held.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">As we searched for another home in Abuja, reality hit us hard. The rents were outrageous, and many of the apartments were far below the standard we had previously enjoyed. It was then I truly understood the value of owning a home.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Eventually, we found a modest apartment within our budget in a developing estate. At the time, it simply looked like the next place to rent. Looking back now, I realize God had already gone ahead of us.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Exactly one week after moving in, during my morning devotion, the Holy Spirit impressed one instruction upon my heart:</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><strong>&#8220;Go and ask the estate developer if there is any land available.&#8221;</strong></p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">I obeyed.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">There was just one problem.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">I had absolutely no money.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Not enough money.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">No savings.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Nothing.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">When we met the developer, he showed us the only available plot. Ironically, it was one of the largest residential plots in the entire estate, approved for a building with two suspended decks.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Humanly speaking, it was impossible.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">As I stood there, questions raced through my mind.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><em>&#8220;How will I pay for this land?&#8221;</em></p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><em>&#8220;Even if I somehow buy it, where will the money to build such a house come from?&#8221;</em></p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Yet, deep within my heart, there was a stronger voice than my fears.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">It was the voice of faith.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Before I had answers, I heard myself telling the developer,</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><strong>&#8220;We will buy it.&#8221;</strong></p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">That single statement marked the beginning of a journey that only God could have orchestrated.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Not long afterward, the Lord reminded me of John 12:24:</p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow">
<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><em>&#8220;Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.&#8221;</em></p>
</blockquote>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">At that time, we owned two cars.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">I shared what God had placed in my heart with my wife, and together we made a difficult decision.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">We would sell one of our cars.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">It wasn&#8217;t an easy sacrifice, but we believed God was asking us to release what was in our hands so He could place something greater into our future.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">When we sold the car, the money wasn&#8217;t even enough to pay half the cost of the land.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">But God&#8230;</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">God gave us favor.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The developer agreed to let us pay in installments. Even more amazingly, after our first payment, he personally financed the construction of the foundation while we continued trusting God for the rest.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Who does that?</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Only God could make a man believe in your vision before you have the resources to pursue it.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">From that moment, we built one block at a time.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">One prayer at a time.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">One miracle at a time.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">There were days when there was no money to continue, yet work somehow never stopped.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">There were months when we had only one car because we had sacrificed the other for the vision.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">To reduce costs, I spent many nights on the construction site doing work that laborers would normally have been hired to do.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">We deliberately reduced our family expenses.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">We prayed over every stage of the building.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">We called forth provision before it appeared.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Faith was not passive.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Faith worked.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Faith obeyed.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Faith endured.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Then, after just one and a half years, what had once seemed impossible stood before us.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Our home was completed.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Beautifully finished.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Furnished to our taste.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Looking back today, I often ask myself:</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><strong>What if we had refused to take that step of faith?</strong></p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">What if we had held on to the comfort and security of that car instead of releasing it in obedience to God&#8217;s instruction?</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">In all likelihood, we would still be tenants in that same estate, never realizing that God&#8217;s purpose for bringing us there was not merely to rent a house, but to become landlords. God had not brought us into that estate merely to occupy another rented apartment; He had brought us there to possess an inheritance.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">What appeared to be a sacrifice was, in reality, God&#8217;s pathway to something far greater.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The car we surrendered was never truly a loss—it was a seed sown in obedience.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">And, as always, God proved Himself faithful.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">He did not simply give us a house; He exceeded our expectations. In addition to blessing us with our home, He restored far more than we had surrendered by blessing us with two newer cars. It reminded us that no one can outgive God. Whenever He asks us to release something into His hands, it is because He has something greater in store according to His perfect will and timing.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">When I look at that house today, I don&#8217;t just see bricks, concrete, and paint.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">I see obedience.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">I see sacrifice.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">I see countless prayers.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">I see the faithfulness of God.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">This journey always reminds me of the four lepers in <strong>2 Kings 7:3</strong>, who asked,</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">&#8220;Why sit we here until we die?&#8221;</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Everything changed because they moved.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Faith moves.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Faith obeys.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Faith acts even when it cannot yet see.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">If this testimony teaches anything, it is that God is still in the business of honouring faith.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">He may not always provide before you move.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Sometimes, He waits for you to take the first step.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">And when you do, you discover that He has been waiting for you all along.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><strong>The greatest lesson from our journey is simple:</strong></p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><strong>Everything is possible to the one who believes.</strong></p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">To God alone be all the glory.</p>



<pre class="wp-block-code"><code>Adejorin Temitope is the Managing Director/CEO of Magictouch Projects &amp; Services Ltd, a practicing Quantity Surveyor and Project Management Consultant. He previously served as Welfare Secretary and in other leadership roles while on campus, and currently serves as a Youth Pastor in the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) in Abuja.</code></pre>
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		<title>Uprightness: The Key to Flourishing in 2026</title>
		<link>https://cityofgodoau.org/uprightness-the-key-to-flourishing-in-2026/</link>
					<comments>https://cityofgodoau.org/uprightness-the-key-to-flourishing-in-2026/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[admin<span class="bp-verified-badge"></span>]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 05 Feb 2026 02:49:45 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Exhortation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Encouragement]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Growth]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Life]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[New Year]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://cityofgodoau.org/?p=23845</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[The SFCN President, Adebayo Adeniyi, welcomes members into 2026 with gratitude for God’s preservation. Reflecting on a successful 2025, he calls for continued commitment and prayer. This year, the leadership emphasizes the theme of uprightness, urging brethren to prioritize righteousness and integrity to fully access God’s promised blessings and flourishing prosperity.]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Dear Brethren,</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"></p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">I warmly congratulate you all on successfully crossing into the year 2026. To God Almighty alone be all the glory for His unfailing mercies, divine protection, and preservation. Indeed, we are grateful to be among those telling the story of 2025.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The year 2025 was eventful across the globe, and for us in SFCN, it was a season of impact and fulfillment. We witnessed God’s hand through our various activities, the powerful testimonies shared, and most especially the successful Jubilee Reunion. On behalf of the Executive Committee, I sincerely appreciate everyone who contributed to these success stories through prayers, financial support, and selfless service. Special thanks to those who consistently answered the call whenever the network reached out and participated in the various programmes. It would have been truly disheartening to look around and find no one standing with us, but God blessed us with committed brethren.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Now, 2026 is upon us, marking the beginning of the third year of this Executive Committee’s tenure. By the grace of God, we are stronger, more focused, and even more committed to serving you faithfully. We humbly invite you to prayerfully continue this glorious journey with us.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Drawing strength from <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=nehemiah%209%3A19-21&amp;version=NIV" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nehemiah 9:19–21</a>, we boldly declare that our flourishing in 2026 shall be great. The Lord will be merciful to us and will not abandon us in any situation. We shall not be stranded nor confused. The Holy Spirit will continually guide and instruct us. God will not withhold nourishment from us; we shall lack no good thing. Sickness will not overpower us, we will not be clothed in shame or rags, and we will not embark on journeys of no return in Jesus’ mighty name.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Beloved brethren, to fully access these blessings, uprightness is essential. As <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs%2014%3A11&amp;version=NIV" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proverbs 14:11</a> says, <em>“The house of the wicked will be overthrown, but the tent of the upright will flourish.”</em> In our daily walk with God and in our dealings with others this year, we must deliberately prioritize uprightness (living lives of righteousness and integrity). This is not a season to toy with sin or walk in deception. We are called to put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the flesh to fulfill its lusts (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=romans%2013%3A14&amp;version=NIV" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Romans 13:14</a>). More than ever, we must be intentional about living in complete obedience to God. Like Daniel, when we purpose in our hearts to honour God completely, His abundant grace will be made available to us. By His mercy, the Lord will make our Christian journey and our pursuit of uprightness easier and joyful throughout this year, in Jesus’ name.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">As the year unfolds, we will regularly keep you informed of the activities God has prepared for us. We encourage you not to miss out on any of them. By God’s grace, you and I will joyfully tell the beautiful story of 2026, sound in mind, strong in health, and flourishing in prosperity in Jesus’ name.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Happy New Year, and God bless you all abundantly.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"></p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Yours in His Service,</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><strong>Adebayo O. Adeniyi</strong><br><em>President, SFCN</em></p>
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		<title>Mountain-Moving Faith: Unleashing the Power of Belief</title>
		<link>https://cityofgodoau.org/mountain-moving-faith-unleashing-the-power-of-belief/</link>
					<comments>https://cityofgodoau.org/mountain-moving-faith-unleashing-the-power-of-belief/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[admin<span class="bp-verified-badge"></span>]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sun, 01 Dec 2024 15:53:02 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Exhortation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Encouragement]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Faith]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Growth]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Life]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://cityofgodoau.org/?p=17766</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[Adebisola unravels mountain-moving faith as a biblical principle emphasizing the transformative power of belief in God, allowing believers to overcome obstacles. Rooted in the scriptures, this faith involves trust in God's ability to perform miracles. She advises us to cultivate faith through prayer, studying the scriptures, surrounding ourselves with supportive people, and practicing gratitude for God's promises.]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The &#8220;mountain-moving faith&#8221; is a powerful biblical principle that speaks to the transformative power of belief in God. This phrase, derived from Jesus&#8217; teachings in the New Testament, encapsulates the idea that unwavering faith can overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles.</p>



<span id="more-17766"></span>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What is Mountain-Moving Faith?</h2>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Mountain-moving faith is not just a figure of speech; it&#8217;s a tangible expression of trust in God&#8217;s ability to work miracles in our lives. It&#8217;s the kind of faith that enables us to speak to our challenges, declare victory over them, and watch as God moves mountains to bring about His perfect will.<br>The foundation for mountain-moving faith is found in several key Bible verses:</p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow">
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">&#8220;Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, &#8216;Move from here to there,&#8217; and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.&#8221; (Matthew 17:20)</p>
</blockquote>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow">
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">&#8220;For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, &#8216;Be removed and be cast into the sea,&#8217; and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.&#8221; (Mark 11:23)</p>
</blockquote>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The key to unlocking the power of mountain-moving faith lies in our belief. When we truly believe that God can do what He promises, we tap into a supernatural force that can move mountains in our lives.<br></p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">To better understand the concept of mountain-moving faith, let&#8217;s explore some analogies:</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><br><strong>A Seed and a Tree:</strong> When planted in fertile soil, a tiny mustard seed can grow into a mighty tree. Similarly, when nurtured by God&#8217;s Word and prayer, a small seed of faith can grow into a powerful force that can overcome any obstacle.<br><strong>A Child and a Parent:</strong> A child trusts their parent implicitly. They believe that their parent will provide for them, protect them, and guide them. In the same way, we should trust God as our heavenly Father, believing that He will always do what is best for us.<br><strong>A Lighthouse in a Storm:</strong> A lighthouse shines brightly through the darkest storm, guiding ships to safety. In the same way, our faith in God can be a beacon of hope in the midst of life&#8217;s storms, guiding us through difficult times.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><br>Cultivating Mountain-Moving Faith</h2>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><br>How can we cultivate mountain-moving faith in our own lives? Here are a few practical steps:<br>Spend Time in God&#8217;s Word: The Bible is the source of our faith. By reading and meditating on God&#8217;s Word, we can strengthen our belief in His promises.</p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow">
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Come near to God and He will come near to you. (James 4:8)</p>
</blockquote>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow">
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. (Joshua 1:8)</p>
</blockquote>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><strong>Pray Regularly:</strong> Prayer is a powerful tool for communicating with God and expressing our faith. Through prayer, we can lay our burdens before God and trust in His divine intervention.</p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow">
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17)</p>
</blockquote>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><strong>Surround Yourself with Faith-Filled People:</strong> Iron sharpens iron, and so does faith. By surrounding ourselves with people who believe in the power of God, we can be encouraged and inspired to grow in our own faith.</p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow">
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners (1 Corinthians 15:33)</p>
</blockquote>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><strong>Practice Gratitude:</strong> Gratitude is a powerful antidote to doubt and fear. By focusing on the blessings in our lives, we can cultivate a heart of faith and trust in God&#8217;s goodness.</p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow">
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. (Psalm 100:4)</p>
</blockquote>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Mountain-moving faith is a gift from God that empowers us to overcome any challenge. By believing in God&#8217;s promises, trusting in His power, and living a life of faith, we can experience the miraculous in our own lives. Let us embrace the power of mountain-moving faith and watch as God transforms our lives and moves mountains for us.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"></p>



<pre class="wp-block-code"><code>Adebisola Ayogbemi-Ajala is a lover of God. She served in the New Generation Choir on campus, and now focuses on living life to the fullest as God desires.</code></pre>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"></p>
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