Contributor: Ngozi Roberts

INTRODUCTION
In the previous week, our study centred around the concept of Purpose as revealed in the Word of God. Our discussion led us to the realization that individuals who are considered wise are those who adjust their focus to align with Christ and establish habits that aid them in following the path of righteousness, guiding others to do the same. This truth was illustrated to us through the analogy of the essential characteristics of life, such as the ability to metabolize, grow, respond to stimuli, and reproduce. As we continue our exploration into the Word of God, we are delving deeper today into the topic of the Power contained within the Word of God.

John 1:3 : “All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made.”
Read Genesis 1:1-5 (KJV)

The Bible is inspired and God-breathed, making it a living and active force in the believer’s life. Hebrew 4:12 confirms this -12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
The transformative power of the Bible is renowned for its ability to change lives, provide guidance to believers, and unveil hidden wisdom. It possesses the remarkable capacity to heal, restore, and bring prosperity. In this session, we will explore deeper into the profound impact of the Word of God and discover how we can enhance our spiritual journey through its extraordinary power.

Believing in the Word of God / Value of the Word of God
In order for us to truly understand the significance of the word of God in our lives, it is essential for a believer to have faith in the power of the word itself. This belief stems from the understanding that the word of God has the transformative ability to shape individuals when embraced. In the Gospel of John (1:11-13), it is stated that Jesus came to His own people, but they did not accept Him. However, those who did receive Him were granted the right to become children of God through faith in His name. This transformation is not based on genetical lineage or human will, but on the divine will of God.

It is important to note that receiving the word of God is a choice that can also be rejected. Those who do choose to receive it are given the power to change and grow. Just like Saul became Paul through a process in the kingdom, individuals can be transformed by the word of God if they are willing to engage in this process. The word of God holds immense value, as seen in the opening verses of the Gospel of John (1:1-3), where it is emphasized that the Word was with God and was God. This indicates that everything was created through the Word, highlighting its vital role in the existence of all things.

In essence, the Word of God is a powerful tool that can bring forth destinies, lives, and the formation of individuals. Understanding and embracing the word of God provides individuals with the ability to create and shape their lives according to His will. Therefore, recognizing the creative power of the word is essential in experiencing the transformative impact it can have. So with this understanding, let us have a peep into the creative Power of the word.

The Creative Power of God’s Word
By utilizing the power of God's Word, believers have been granted the ability to create in both the spiritual and physical realms. This divine authority bestows upon us the dominion to speak things into existence, to command life itself, and to operate in a realm that surpasses the understanding of spiritual entities.
This process is not instantaneous, as God does not perform magical tricks. Rather, it requires our active participation and faith. Through a gradual process of learning and understanding His Word, we can begin to witness the manifestation of His promises in our lives.
For example, the blessings spoken of in Isaiah 60:5, where abundance and wealth are promised, are not merely material possessions. Instead, they symbolize the spiritual riches and joy that come from aligning ourselves with God's will.
Similarly, the wealth mentioned in Isaiah 61 is not physical wealth that can be seen with the naked eye. It is a spiritual blessing that must be believed and received in the heavenly realm before manifesting in the physical world.
Just as a tree must take root before bearing fruit, so too must we allow God's blessings to take root in our lives. This may require patience, but the outcome will be worth the wait.

Disruptions to the Creative Power of the Word
Understanding the duration it takes for the creative power of the word to manifest depends on how deeply rooted the word is within the believer. It is crucial for the believer to acknowledge that the devil's main aim is to prevent the Word from taking root in their heart. The devil will go to great lengths to manipulate circumstances in order to distract the believer and shake their faith in the Word, ultimately robbing them of their blessings.
Satan thrives in the realm of senses and he is skilled in distorting reality to cast doubt on what God is doing in the believer's life. When a person relies solely on their natural perception, Satan will attempt to deceive them and discredit the work of God. However, when one wholeheartedly believes in the truth and power of the Word, they can confidently declare their faith and trust in what is promised, even if it is not physically evident at the moment. This act of unwavering faith is a way of outsmarting the devil.
In the Parable of the Sower Explained – Matthew 13:1-23 we see the devil all over the believer trying a way to make sure he does not receive the word of God fully but in verse 23 - But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.”

Power in the Spoken Word of God
The spoken Word of God also holds immense power, capable of bringing about incredible miracles beyond understanding. It is through this divine Word that the entire universe was created, as stated in 2nd Peter 3:5. In Matthew 8:8, a centurion humbly recognizes the authority of Jesus by stating his unworthiness for a personal visit, yet believing in the command of Jesus for his servant's healing. God also communicates through His chosen messengers, known as genuine servants who spread His Word. Those seeking to witness miracles in their lives are encouraged to discern and follow these authentic representatives of God. The Bible in 2nd Chronicles 20:20b says: “Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper.”

How then do you identify a word as being genuinely spoken by God through His servants?

The Bible, as the written word, serves as a confirmation and should be in harmony with spoken word as mentioned in John 16:13 and Galatians 1:8. It is crucial to verify that the source of the spoken word is pure and directly from God before embracing it. By doing so, one can open themselves up to receiving the desired miracles from God, in accordance with Psalm 107:20 which states, “He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.”
Undoubtedly, the word of God spoken by his authentic messengers holds great power. This power can bring about either positive or negative outcomes, depending on how we respond to it. Therefore, it is important to exercise discernment and wisdom in order to ensure that the spoken word has a positive impact on our lives. It is therefore, essential to align the written and spoken word, believe in the purity of the message, and approach it with wisdom to experience the positive effects of the word of God.

1. Spoken Word, Working Positively
The spoken Word of God which came to the widow of Zarephath through Elijah in 1st Kings 17:14 is a case in point; it says: “For thus saith the LORD God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the LORD sendeth rain upon the earth.”
We see the power in this spoken word, working positively in 1st King 17:16: “And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by Elijah.”

2. Spoken Word, Working Negatively
Elijah spoke concerning the shameful death of the wicked King Ahab in 1st King 21:19 and the wonder-working power of the spoken word produced the negative effect of Ahab’s death in 1st Kings 22:38.

1. Attributes of the Power in the Word of God
a) Transformation:
Acts 20:32 KJV: And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.

The Word of God is powerful enough to uplift and change us fundamentally. It holds the ability to transform our hearts and lead us to a meaningful life. Just like Isaiah 55:11 mentions, God's word will never return void but will fulfil His will and achieve the purpose for which it was sent. One effective way to experience this transformation is through the gathering of believers, as Hebrews 10:25 advises us not to neglect the fellowship of fellow believers but to encourage one another especially as the coming of the Lord draws near.

This gathering is ordained by God to provide an opportunity for us to encounter His Spirit and understand His ways. It is a chance to witness and experience the divine power among His people, revealing the endless possibilities of what God can do through us. Therefore, we must resist any distractions that divert our focus from the deep message in His word and embrace the teachings and blessings that come with being part of believers.

The Word of God is the foundation that constructs and assigns roles to individuals in their spheres of influence. Each of us will hold a position through the word of God as evidence of our resilience in our relationship with God. It all begins with our love for God and gradually leads us to pursue Him with unwavering faith. God then allows us to experience various stages of growth and transformation until we reach our ultimate purpose. It is our perseverance that propels us towards our ultimate destination. Therefore, we must cultivate a deep appreciation for the word of God. Through this transformation, we start to realize our true potential. As believers, we are unable to maximize our potential without the divine power of the word, which brought everything into existence. Disobeying God's word is akin to placing oneself in harmful ways. Those who defy His teachings will only cause chaos for themselves now and in the hereafter. Just as a machine malfunctions when used incorrectly, going against the word of God will lead to destruction.

2. Restorative and Curative Power of the Word
Given that all things were created by the powerful word of God, it is evident that this word has the ability to mend and renew the things it brought into existence. The book of Psalms, in chapter 107
verse 20, highlights the healing and delivering power of God's Word:

"He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions."

It is therefore not surprising that God places great importance on following His word. The book of Genesis, in chapter 1 verse 2, illustrates that before God's creative word went into action, the earth was formless, empty, and chaotic. However, with the mighty power of His word, the earth took shape. This teaches us that when we feel hopeless and life seems directionless, allowing God's word to work in our lives will bring about positive change. When God commanded light to exist, light appeared. Those who live by God's word do not dwell in darkness, as Jesus is the Word of God and the Light of the world (John 8:12). When Jesus enters your life, emptiness is replaced with fulfilment. For individuals struggling with depression and mental health issues, who may have never experienced joy, allowing Jesus, the living word of God, to reside within them will cure and restore them.

b) The Power of the Word of God Brings Wealth
Read Luke 5:4-7
So as a fisherman, Peter laboured all through the night, without catching any fish, but when he allowed Jesus into his boat, he had a net-breaking and boat-sinking catch of fish in the same place where he had earlier laboured and caught nothing. It is indeed God who gives power to get wealth, and this power is in His word (Deuteronomy 8:18, Joshua 1:8).
18 But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.

The light that God’s Word gives is available to anyone groping in darkness. Remember, darkness is harmful, and so we need the light of God’s word to illuminate our paths so that we do not stumble or fall in a ditch. Psalm 119:105 says: “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”

• Revelation: The Word of God reveals things we could not know otherwise, such as the nature of God, the origin of the world, the reason for human sinfulness, and what happens after death – In the book of revelation 1: 19 19 Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;

• Authority: Scripture is seen as the ultimate authority, useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16). 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

• Conviction: The Word of God convicts people of sin and points them to God’s grace and redemption through Christ. In John 16:8 8 And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:

• Guidance: It serves as a guide for living a life that is pleasing to God, offering wisdom and direction for every situation. In Prov. 20:24 24 Man's goings are of the LORD; how can a man then understand his own way?

• Endurance: The teachings of the Bible have endured through centuries, influencing countless lives and shaping societies. In Isaiah 42:16 - 16 And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.

• Sanctification: “That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word” (Eph 5:26)

CONCLUSION
The power of the Word of God often emphasizes its ability to transform lives, guide believers, and reveal divine truths. Brethren, let us embrace the infallible word of God today, and it will do us good. God bless!