Contributor: Alex Kokobili

INTRODUCTION
God’s faithfulness can be expressed in two sides. The first is God’s faithfulness as our Father who is faithful to His word (1 Corinthians 1:9 God is faithful He is reliable, trustworthy, and ever true to His Promise He can be depended on, and through Him, you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord). The other is God’s expectations for Christians to stay faithful to him. God expects us to be faithful to Him to attain His promises. For instance, Abram was ninety-nine years old, when the Lord appeared to him on the need to be faithful to Him, Genesis 17:1 When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, “I am God Almighty; walk before me faithfully and be blameless”).

Today’s study will dwell on faithfulness which involves the commitment of believers in journeying with God in order to fulfil His divine purpose in our lives. It is also important for us to be informed that God’s presence has a key role in the journey of faithfulness. The discussion will draw on the life of Joseph and then the latter part will engage on the expectation of the church in regards to faithfulness towards God.

PART A: JOSEPH’S FAITHFULNESS TOWARD GOD
1. Faithfulness is always associated with a test which could either be before or after a blessing.

Gen 39: 7 And it came to pass after these things that his master’s wife cast longing eyes on Joseph, and she said, “Lie with me.”

The previous verses 1- 6 told us about God’s favour in the life of Joseph and how he became the manager of Potiphar’s house, and soon after Joseph’s test of faithful resulted from Mrs. Potiphar's immoral sexual desire toward him. Your faithfulness to God will be tested so that He can make you the showpiece of His glory. The test of faithfulness is a test of your love for God and full adherence to the word. There is some test that we cannot pray against but must happen as a way to examine our work with God (Job 2: 3 Then the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil. And he still maintains his integrity, though you incited me against him to ruin him without any reason). We must always pray for God’s grace to overcome all forms of tests that might put our faith in God into question (Mathew 6: 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil).

2. Holiness as the bedrock of faithfulness is not a weakness, but a strength and also a defence.

Gen 39: 8 But he refused and said to his master’s wife, “Look, my master does not know what is with me in the house, and he has committed all that he has to my hand”.

Joseph feared God and realised that he was God’s regent in Potiphar’s house. Surprisingly, an average Christian today would not think twice before accepting such an offer that Joseph turned down and would even give an excuse of blaming Potiphar’s wife for causing them to sin. Some other Christians will also blame Mr. Potiphar for not always being at home and they would say they were doing Potiphar a favour and that they would later ask God for forgiveness. Unfortunately, so many believers are ashamed to speak about the emphasis on holiness when in regards to things such as lying, fornication and adultery, pride, drunkenness, hatred, selfish ambitions, ingratitude, etc. (See also Gal 5:19-21, Rev 21: 8, 2 Tim 3: 1-5). Our commitment to faithfulness in God as Christians after salvation must be followed by a lifestyle of holiness which is a sign that we fear God (Prov. 8: 13 The fear of the LORD is to hate evil; Pride, and arrogance, and the evil way, And the forward mouth, do I hate. Job 28:28 And to man He said, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, And to depart from evil is understanding).

Some Christians seem to have an excuse for every action in self-defence by making assertions such as “I still have a struggle and I believe I am a work in progress or I need some therapy”. Sometimes some people even say things like “Nobody is perfect or God understands,” Why are you judging me?” etc. We must realise that trying to validate any actions of unfaithfulness through emotions, theology, philosophy, tradition and culture, personal opinions, or social perceptions does not change the absoluteness of God’s word (Psalm 119:89 Forever, O Lord, thy Word is settled in heaven. God's Word, or Law, is eternal and unchanging - fixed and established forever in the heaven of heavens).

3. Forgetfulness of God’s faithfulness is a betrayal of His trust

Gen 39: 9 There is no one greater in this house than I, nor has he kept back anything from me but you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?

Joseph remembered the goodness of God in his life and how He caused Potiphar to favour him and on that premise, Joseph decided to stay faithful to God. So many people forget how God came through for them including how he used specific people to shape their destiny. Those who forget God’s goodness are unfaithful and cannot withstand the test of time. Have you not wondered how possible it was that Judas forgot all that he saw Jesus Christ do (the miracles and healings) and yet he betrayed his master? The carnal man is always ready with an excuse or a blame game as a defense of embracing something that God forbids.

Rev 21: 8 But people who are cowardly, unfaithful, detestable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars will find themselves in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur.

Israel often forgot God’s goodness when they were confronted with unpleasant situations and in return displayed actions of unfaithfulness towards God. Judges 8: 34 And the children of Israel remembered not the Lord their God who had delivered them out of the hand of all that afflicted them round about. We have to also realize that unfaithfulness is as good as unbelief and instability of purpose in life. Psalm 78: 42
"They refused to listen and failed to remember the wonders You performed among them. They stiffened their necks and appointed a leader to return them to their bondage in Egypt”.

4. The temptation to be unfaithful might continue for a while but we must genuinely God's intervention not to fall into sin.

Genesis 9: 10-12 And though she spoke to Joseph day after day, he refused to go to bed with her or even be with her. One day he went into the house to attend to his duties, and none of the household servants was inside. She caught him by his cloak and said, “Come to bed with me!” But he left his cloak in her hand and ran out of the house.

Longsuffering is a fruit of the spirit that requires that we persevere amid temptation without giving in (Gala 5: 22).
Some people have failed the test of faithfulness because of situations such as business contracts, challenges with their health, marriage, etc. This shows our level of commitment to God

Daniel 3: 16-18 "Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. 17 If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. 18 But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up."

We must realize that we need the strength of God to over temptations over and over again “1 Samuel 2: 9 He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail”.

James 1:12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

Mathew 5:11-12 Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

PART B: FAITHFULNESS IS THE PREREQUISITE FOR A GLORIOUS CHURCH
Without the glory of Christ, the church ceases to exist and even if it pretends that it exists, it will only be a building without glory. Ephesians 5: 27 "that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish."

Revelations chapters 2 and 3 describe the state of the end-time church. For instance, out of the seven churches mentioned; five were considered unfaithful to Christ and were described as the Loveless Church, the Compromising Church, the Dead Church, the Corrupt Church, and the Lukewarm Church. The two that stood out and were commended for their faithfulness were the Persecuted Church and the Faithful Church. We will notice that the Persecuted Church was recognized. (Rev 2:10c “Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life”.), and also the Faithful Church (Rev 3: 10 “Because you have kept my command to preserve, I will also keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth).

King Solomon was faithful in building a temple for God so that could worship God and his heart during that period in harmony with God’s presence, and during the dedication of the temple, God’s glory overwhelmed the place (2 Chronicles 7: 1-3). There is no shortcut to holiness when we talk of faithfulness. However, despite Solomon’s magnificent temple, God still required that His people would present themselves before Him in humility and repentance from evil before He hears our prayers or fellowship which we further saw in 2 Chronicles 7:14 that God promised to only hear the people when they faithfully pray to Him).

God is seeking Christians to be fully aligned with His word because we are the church. The church seems to be becoming too apologetic in trying to gain social acceptance. The fear of not offending people might lead us to things that have brought a load of imperfection upon us. We have to stay faithful to God whether it is socially acceptable or not because Christ wants to present the Church to Himself as a perfect bride. We have to understand that as long as we fail to get serious with the business of holiness, the church stands the risk of becoming spiritually disabled with no power to command God’s kingdom on earth (Hebrews 12: 14 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord), (Mathew 5: 8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God).

CONCLUSION
There is no shortcut to faithfulness and purity as two important variables in sustaining God’s presence. We need the grace of God to stay faithful to His word and not by our physical ability ( 1 Samuel 2:9 He will keep the feet of his holy ones, but the wicked shall be put to silence in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail). Holiness is possible, when we genuinely desire perfection and then allow God to fill us with grace for the race (Mathew 5: 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled). See also
“2 Corinthians 4: 17-18 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal”.
“Mathew 25: 21 His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness”.

It is God’s presence that guides us to work according to the pattern that He has set for us to follow. Faithfulness is like a mirror that reveals God’s purity in accordance with the Bible which overrides our perception of analyzing good and evil.

Contributor: Folashade Morakinyo

INTRODUCTION
Since the last two weeks, we have been learning about God’s divine faithfulness. Last week, the focus was on the sub topic: “promotion comes from God,” and why and how God promotes. Today, we will dig further to shed some light on what happens in God’s presence.
From the very beginning of mankind, God has desired for us to be in His presence (fellowship with man). In fact, that was the purpose for which man was created. God would come in the cool of the day to have fellowship with Adam (Gen. 1:26-30). Man enjoyed God’s presence regularly until the deceiver crept in and man had to hide, moving away from God’s presence (Gen. 3:1-6). Having fallen from that level of grace through disobedience, since then, man has to be more intentional if we want the warmth of fellowship and to be in God’s presence (Gen. 3:8). Why is this? God cannot behold iniquity/unrighteousness (Isaiah 59:1-2). Therefore, we must submit ourselves as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable (Rom. 12:1-2). May the Lord give us further understanding as we study today, in Jesus’ name.

Where is the Presence of God?
Presence is the state or fact of existing, occurring, or being present.

• God as Omnipresent (Psalms 139:7-8) - He created the whole world, the heavens, the earth, andother planets; He is everywhere - we can see His works.

• He resides in Heaven - He operates, exists, and has His throne in heaven (Rev. 4:2-3, Deut. 26:15,Isaiah 57:15); this is where His administration is. There, we are close to seeing Him in His form(Rev. 21:10).

• He is Spirit; therefore, He has the liberty to live inside anyone who believes in Him and has acceptedthe work of salvation that Jesus did (Romans 8:11, Colossians 1:27) - in the person of the Holy Spirit. As a result, we have His abilities, His greatness, and enjoy His goodness.

•God’s presence as a time of fellowship - personally, with family, in a group, and in the church.

Attributes of those who embody the presence of God
This section addresses the question: Who embodies the presence of God, or how can I be a carrier of God’s presence? (Gen. 39:1-3, Ps. 1:1-3).

• Joseph was a carrier of God’s presence: Gen.39:2-9: The Lord was with Joseph and he was a successful man.

• David was a carrier of God’s presence 1 Samuel 18:14: David succeeded in all he did because theLord was with him. 1 Samuel 23:4-5, 10-11; 1 Samuel 30:8-9; 2 Samuel 5:17-21: David constantlysought the Lord for strength, strategy, instructions, and victories. 2 Samuel 2:4; 2 Samuel 12:13; Psalm 51; Psalm 32: When David fell, he demonstrated true repentance and sought to restore his relationship with God.

• Moses was a carrier of God’s presence: Joshua 1:17: Moses led with God's guidance and presence. Numbers 12:3: Moses was known for his meekness. Exodus 33:11, 18-20: Moses sought God'spresence and guidance directly and intimately.

Blessings/fruits/Blessedness of carrying the presence of God
God is the Creator, He is Light, He is the Way. We cannot be carriers of God’s presence without our lives reflecting His abilities. There are fruits attached to carrying God’s presence: Pro. 3:33, Ps. 5:12, Pro. 10:6, Pro. 28:20, Pro. 12:2, Ps. 75:6-7, Job. 17:9, II Chr. 26:3-5, II Chr. 31:20-2.
Potiphar was blessed because the presence of a righteous man in his house focused God's attention on his estate. Meanwhile, Joseph obtained God's blessings in the form of favor and rapid promotion because he carried the presence of God. If we all are carriers of God’s presence, He will surely bless us because of His faithfulness (Psalm 37:23-40).

God’s Presence is Reciprocal

It is important that we remember that God’s Presence is Reciprocal. And that we can cultivate His presence.
James 4:8a: "Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you"
John 14:23: "Jesus answered him, 'If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.'"
Matthew 18:20: "For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them."

CONCLUSION
A place is called the presence of God because God is already there. The invitation to God’s presence is for all; God desires this, which is why He created us in the first place. As we do away with sins that easily beset us and come boldly to His throne/presence, every aspect of our lives will bear fruit. God’s presence is reciprocal—meaning blessedness. "Abide in me, and I will abide in you. Just as the branch cannot produce fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me" (John 15:4).

Prayer: Father, take away anything hindering me from Your presence.

Contributor: Peter Folikwe

INTRODUCTION
Last week, our teacher and contributors at the day’s teaching highlighted the benefits that come with having “a closer walk with God”: the theme of our Bible study for this year. The study x-rayed God’s divine faithful benefits through ‘the law of harvest’.
In summary, the study elaborated on God’s faithfulness to keeping His promises, when we fulfil our part through righteousness and total obedience to God’s instructions.
In today’s Bible Study, we shall be reviewing the subtopic under God’s faithfulness - ‘Promotion comes from God’.

THE TRUTH ABOUT GOD’S PROMOTION
Before we delve into the anchor scripture for today, I want us to be guided by a statement of truth in Psalm 75:6-7 “For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. 7 But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.”
Meaning no one can promote you, except God. Promotion from any other source – the devil, leads to failure in the end.
Another truth is in Lamentations 3:which says 37 “Who is he who speaks and it comes to pass, When the Lord has not commanded it?”
Brethren, this passage reminds us to always boast in the Lord, not in our achievements in -It is by His mercies we are not consumed. life.
Finally, James 1:17 tells us that “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.”
• this tells us that promotions or progresses we make in life are gifts from God. He never waivers. He stands by His promise.
• As the unwavering, dependable and reliable God, once you meet His conditions for promotion, He will promote you.

WHY AND HOW DOES GOD PROMOTE? A CASE STUDY OF JOSEPH
1. Life Without Bitterness.
Gen 39:1-6 tells us that:
The Lord was with Joseph in Egypt because He led him there in the first place. After Joseph’s dreams that he innocently relayed to his brethren, his environment became toxic unknowingly to him. His brothers planned his death which eventually led him to becoming a slave in a foreign land, but he was not bitter at all. He became a candidate of God’s blessings and promotion.

Gen 50:19-20:

• By this time he was the Prime minister of the most powerful and influential country in the world at the time.
• He could have chosen to dissociate himself from his family and hid his identity.
• Not only was he not bitter, he forgave with ease.
• In one of Pastor’s teachings, he noted that the first thing Joseph would have requested soon as he became prime mister was to demand for Potiphar’s wife to tell the truth and offer a public apology. But he did not. Potiphar’s wife lived and died with a wounded conscience.
• Hebrews 12:14-us to admonishes 15 pursue peace with all people…….lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled.
• Bitterness is birthed when we are in contention with people. It develops stubborn roots when we harbour unforgiving in our hearts towards same people.

2. Righteous Living:

• Ps. 1:1-3 - Joseph’s righteous lifestyle kept him overcoming every huddle of life he had to pass through. He refused to deny God.
• In Gen 39:9 Joseph told his master’s wife “There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back anything from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God? “  
  • Here he turned down the enticing offer of his bosses wife, focusing more on his right standing with God than offending his master.
• His brothers ought to be happy for him and encourage him, instead they detested him and hated him. This is common in the world we live today.
• Cain orchestrated similar behaviour towards Abel in Gen 4:8-9.
• Potiphar was blessed because of the presence of a righteous man - Joseph, in his household. This focused the attention of God on his estate.
• Proverbs 10:6 The righteous will be unable to hide God’s blessings/ promotions because it will be in the glare view of all, but shame will keeps the mouth of the wicked/sinner shut. As a slave, Joseph was uniquely favoured by his master. Even in prison Joseph was a superstar.
• II Chronicles 26:3-5. Similar to Joseph was the young king Uzziah, whose reign was interrupted for 52 years simply because he made God his priority in all his decisions.
• II Chronicles 31:20-21. King Hezekiah also prospered because he diligently obeyed God’s commandment and sought the face God before embarking on any plan.
• Proverbs 3:33 “The curse of the Lord is on the house of the wicked, But He says comes under the curse of God An entire household blesses the home of the just.”. Conversely, blessings pursue and overtake a home ways because a man’s wicked where justice and equity prevails.

3. Focus on God’s Gifts With Patience:

• Joseph unwaveringly held unto his dreams and aspirations to the end despite consistent pitfalls along the way.
• He was not deterred despite being thrown into a dry well, sold to slavery in Egypt and thrown into prison. He lived his dreams; dreaming all-over again and again.
• Joseph looked up to God, just as we are admonished in Heb. 12:2 “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” He relied on God’s blessings and not that of man. Many are today men-pleasers with eyeservice, sycophants satisfied with prises from men.
• 1Pet 1:7 states “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:” Reward for honest service to God is promotion here on earth and a crown of glory after our earthly sojourn. 1Pet 5:4.
• It takes a lot of perseverance and patience to wait on God sometimes. But 2Pet 1:5-7 admonishes us to be patient and godly; and also have brotherly kindness and charity

GOD IS STILL IN THE BUSINESS OF PROMOTING

• Psalms 113:7-says “He raises the poor out of the dust, And lifts the needy out of 9With the princes of His people. —the ash heap, That He may seat him with princesHe grants the barren woman a home, Like a joyful mother of children. Praise the Lord!”
• He specializes in turning things around.
• The poor and down trodden written off by men are elevated unto enviable positions in life by God. The barren is made mother of children.
• Song: I can see everything turning around….
• Psalms 37:25 “I have been young, and now am old; Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, Nor his descendants begging bread.”
• Proverbs 12:2 “A good man obtains favor from the Lord, But a man of wicked intentions He will condemn.”
• Psalms 112:2-1 ““Praise the Lord! Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, Who delights greatly in His commandments. 2 His descendants will be mighty on earth; The generation of the upright will be blessed.”

CONCLUSION:
Enduring promotion is the reward for consistent commitment to God’s will and purpose for our lives. Anyone who lives outside of God’s will and purpose and seem to be enjoying the worlds promotion is simply being set-up by the devil for filure.

Contributor: Isekhua Evborokhai

INTRODUCTION
From today and to the end of this year’s Bible Study, themed “A Closer walk with God.” We will be studying the various benefits we get from walking with the Father. There are several of these benefits such as God’s Divine Faithfulness which we will consider for this month under various sub topics, starting with the sub topic, “Law of the Harvest”. Our God is a faithful God. Psalm 100:5 tells us that His faithfulness continues through all generations, and part of the faithfulness of God is demonstrated in the fulfilment of the law of the harvest.
Today’s study will be divided into two parts. Part 1 will look at the Faithfulness of God and Part 2 will look at the Law of the Harvest and its relationship with God’s faithfulness.

PART 1
One of the core characteristics of God is that He is faithful. This is one aspect of Him that He has never showed the opposite of to date, despite our response to it. Others are His righteousness and His holiness.
2 Timothy 2:13 says: “if we are faithless, he remains faithful—for he cannot deny himself.”

A Few Scriptures that testify of His Faithfulness
• Psalm 36:5: “Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds.”
• Lamentations 3:22-23: “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
• Revelation 19:11: “Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war.”
• Matthew 5:45: “so that you may [show yourselves to] be the children of your Father who is in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on those who are evil and on those who are good, and makes the rain fall on the righteous [those who are morally upright] and the unrighteous [the unrepentant, those who oppose Him]. AMP
It is because God is consistently faithful that we can come to Him in prayers.
• Isaiah 45:19 says: “I have not spoken in secret, In a corner of a land of darkness; I did not say to the descendants of Jacob, ‘Seek Me in vain [with no benefit for yourselves].’ I, the Lord, speak righteousness [the truth—trustworthy, a straightforward correlation between deeds and words], Declaring things that are upright". AMP
• Hebrews 10:23 says, "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful."

God is faithful to:
1. His Promises: God's promises are certain and reliable. Numbers 23:19 says, "God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?" See also 1 John 1:9 (Forgiveness of sin), Psalm 91:4 (Protection)

2. His Covenant: The Bible records God's covenant with His people, showcasing His steadfastness. Deut. 7:9 says, "Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments".

PART 2
The law of the harvest was established in Genesis 8:22 after Noah’s flood.
“While the earth remains, Seedtime and harvest, Cold and heat, Winter and summer, And day and night Shall not cease.”

The Bible tells us in Genesis 12:1 that Isaac sowed in that land (where there was famine) and reaped in the same year a hundredfold.

Scriptures that validate the Law of Harvest
• Galatians 6:7-8: “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting”
• 2 Corinthians 9:6: “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.”

However, a very important point to note is that the faithfulness of the Lord implies that both the positive and negative outcomes are an assurance when it comes to reaping the harvest of the type of seed sown.

1. Seedtime and Harvest – For He that Soweth to his flesh.
To sow to the flesh means cultivating and developing our sinful desires, it is to do evil or participate in any form of wickedness.
• Proverbs 22:8 “Whoever sows injustice will reap calamity, and the rod of his fury will fail.”
• Job 4:8 “As I have seen, those who plow iniquity and sow trouble reap the same.”
• Hosea 8:7a “For they sow the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind.”

There are several examples of people who sowed to the flesh and reaped corruption. But we will look at only two.

a) David and Bathsheba. 2 Samuel 11-12.
David commits adultery with Bathsheba and arranges the death of her husband Uriah. The child born from the affair dies, and David's family faces turmoil and rebellion.
2 Samuel 12:10 “'Therefore the sword will never leave your household, because you have despised me by taking the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your own.'

b) Gehazi 2Kings 5
Gehazi goes after Naaman in response to the desires of his flesh (greed). The outcome was leprosy for him and his generation.
Verse 27 says: “27 Naaman’s leprosy will cling to you and to your descendants forever.” Then Gehazi went from Elisha’s presence and his skin was leprous—it had become as white as snow.”
• Discussion: Give other examples – Biblical and present day

2. Seedtime and Harvest – But he that soweth to the Spirit.
To sow to the Spirit is to obey God’s Words, setting our “minds on things above, not on earthly things”
Luke 6:38 “Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”

a) Jonathan, Saul’s Son. 2 Samuel 9:1-13
The seed Jonathan sowed, was reaped by his unfortunate son.
In his covenant with Jonathan, David had promised to show loyalty to Jonathan’s family (1 Sam.18:3).
In this story, David shows kindness to Jonathan’s son Mephibosheth. Verse 13 says: “So Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, for he ate always at the king’s table.”

b) Dorcas raised from the dead. Acts 9:36-42
The good seed Dorcas sowed was instrumental to her being brought back from the dead. Dorcas was known for her good works and acts of charity, particularly for making clothing for widows and the poor. She fell sick and died but was raised from the dead by Peter. In verse 39 we are told that all the widows stood near him, weeping and showing him tunics and garments— all-that Dorcas was making while being with them.

• Discussion: Give other examples – Biblical and present day

CONCLUSION
God's divine faithfulness is one of the cornerstones of a Believer’s faith, it offers us confidence in His unchanging nature and unwavering commitment to His word. Throughout the Bible, God's faithfulness is portrayed as a fundamental aspect of His relationship with humanity, providing assurance and hope in His eternal and dependable love. So we can bank on His faithfulness but be very aware that in relationship to the law of harvest, He is also unwavering to ensure that it is whatever we sow, that we will reap.
However, with the law of the harvest, there is a multiplier effect, what you reap is usually more than what you sow! Whether positive or negative. Isaac reaped one hundred times what he sowed, the Bible tells us that when we give, the return is good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over. Gehazi’s entire generation became cursed with leprosy. And the Bible also tells us that those who sow the wind, shall reap the whirlwind.
As we walk with the Almighty God, we must heed Galatians 6:9 that tells us not to be weary in well doing, because such faithfulness is one way to guarantee His faithfulness. Psalm 18:25a says: “To the faithful you show yourself faithful”.

Contributor: Isekhua Evborokhai

INTRODUCTION
Since the beginning of this month, we have been considering the Word of God and how the knowledge and understanding of the Word can enable us walk more closely with God. We have looked at: The Person, The Purpose, The Power and today, we are considering The Testimony. Ephesians 4:1 tells us that we should walk worthy and today’s study points us in the right direction. The Word of God holds the blueprint of our lives and is the ultimate foundational guide for believers seeking a closer walk with God. Psalm 119:105 says: “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”

Why the Word? Read Psalm 19:7-11

The revelation of God is whole and pulls our lives together. The signposts of God are clear and point out the right road. The life-maps of God are right, showing the way to joy. The directions of God are plain and easy on the eyes. God’s reputation is twenty-four-carat gold, with a lifetime guarantee. The decisions of God are accurate down to the nth degree. (MSG)

The testimony of the Scriptures is all about Jesus. Jesus Himself, declared that they testified of Him.

• Luke 24:44: “He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”
• John 1:45: “Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”
• Hebrews 10:7: “Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.”

In John Chapter 5, from verse 31, Jesus speaking to the Pharisees revealed the four-fold testimony of who He was.

1. The Testimony of John (Verses 32-35)
"There is another who bears witness of Me, and I know that the testimony which he bears of Me is true. You have sent to John, and he has borne witness to the truth. But the witness which I receive is not from man, but I say these things that you might be saved. He was the lamp that was burning and was shining, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light."

The first testimony Jesus considers is that of John the Baptist. These people knew John well, and evidently respected him greatly, though perhaps grudgingly. John had been sent to precede the Messiah and to identify Him when He arrived.
Concerning Jesus, John "bore witness of Him", saying, "This was He of whom I said, 'He who comes after me has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me" (John 1:15) and in John 1:36, "And looking at Jesus as He walked, he said, “Behold the Lamb of God!”. John was a no nonsense fellow. He was strong and determined, faithfully committed to his task. Every one of his day even slightly knowledgeable of John knew this about him, so John's testimony carried much weight, but not as much as the next witness Jesus calls.

2. The Testimony of the Works (Verse 36)
"But the witness which I have is greater than that of John; for the works which the Father has given Me to accomplish, the very works that I do, bear witness of Me, that the Father has sent Me."

Jesus invited the skeptics to consider the miracles He had done and which they had witnessed with their own eyes. Nicodemus, one of the leaders of the Pharisees, was of the minority opinion that Jesus was from God because, as he put it, "no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with Him." (John 3:2). How sad that most of the rest of Nicodemus' associates rejected Jesus in spite of all the evidence provided. Human stubbornness can sometimes cause very foolish behaviours.
Jesus often alluded to the miracles He performed as being undeniable testimonies that He was the Son of God. John 10:25. “Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify about me”

3. The Testimony of the Father (Verse 37)
"And the Father who sent Me has borne witness of Me. You have neither heard His voice at any time, nor seen His form."
The Father on several occasions audibly identified Jesus as His Son. At Jesus' baptism, the Father announced, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased." (Matthew 3:17). Later, at the transfiguration, the same statement is made with the added admonition: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!” (Mark 9:7).

4. The Testimony of the Scriptures (Verses 38-40)
"And you do not have His word abiding in you, for you do not believe Him who He has sent. You search the Scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is these that bear witness of Me; and you are unwilling to come to Me that you may have life."
As a final witness, Jesus refers to the ancient Scriptures. These are filled with prophecies which Jesus was fulfilling daily.
One scholar, J. Barton Payne, found as many as 574 verses in the Old Testament that somehow references Jesus. Alfred Edersheim found 456 Old Testament verses referring to Him or His times. In His earthly ministry, Jesus fulfilled at least 300 prophecies.
Though familiar with the Scriptures, the Pharisees rejected the One of whom they spoke so plainly. This tells us that it takes more than being able to memorize and recite various passages; we must apply these things to our hearts and lives else the searching and knowing is wasted. We can claim that we honor Christ, but when it comes to applying His teachings, we dishonour Him by disobeying the Word. Consequently, by not truly coming to Jesus in humble obedience, one cannot have eternal life. “You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me.”

Why is Revelation Important for Our Walk with God?
The first three chapters of the book of Ephesians is centred around our eyes being opened to understanding who we are in Christ.
In Chapter 1:17-18, Paul prayed for the Ephesians and consequently you and I that the eyes of our understanding may be enlightened. This means that our walk with God will no longer be as one who gropes in darkness. Ephesians 4:20-24 tells us that our way of life changed when we heard about Christ and taught the truth that is in Him and to put on the new self. People who know their position in Christ, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness, a new identity understood by revelation. The new self does not walk in darkness, but in the light!

CONCLUSION
The Word of God testifies to its own power, its truth, and authority. Through its pages, believers find guidance, wisdom, nourishment, correction, and the message of salvation. It stands as a timeless testament to God's love, grace, and faithfulness throughout history.
Jesus Himself, His life, teachings, and actions, bear witness to the truth of who He is—the Son of God, the Saviour of humanity, and the embodiment of God's love and redemption. When Jesus said “you shall know the truth and the truth will set you free” in John 8:32, He was not referring to any truth, but Himself. You must have found out some truth that made your heart heavy right? It didn’t set you free, did it? That is why it is only the Truth that sets us free not any other truth. In John 14: 6 “Jesus answered, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” He is the Truth and that is the Testimony.

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!

Contributor: Esther Alajiki

INTRODUCTION
Life is the quality that distinguishes a vital and functional being from a dead body. A principle or force that is considered to underlie the distinctive quality of animate beings. An organismic state Characterized by Capacity for Metabolism, Growth, Reaction to Stimuli, And Reproduction.

John 1:4-5
“4 In Him was LIFE [and the power to bestow life], and the life was the LIGHT of men. 5 The Light shines on in the darkness, and the darkness did not understand it or overpower it or appropriate it or absorb it [and is unreceptive to it]. AMP

In Jesus we have the embodiment of both life and light. The word John uses for life is Zoe this refers to life as God has it. The essence of life not limited by time or death. John uses this word light 21 times in His Gospel. Jesus said on two occasions, "I am the light of the world" (John 8:12, 9:5 NIV).

The Rabbis used light as a name for the Messiah that was promised to come. Reference to Jesus as the light is the proclamation of His divine identity and mission – as the long awaited Messiah also meaning that Jesus is God.

Jesus has brought us physical life but He wants to give us eternal life. John 3:16 and abundant life John 10:10 - life beyond our wildest dreams. “In Him we live and move and have our being”. Jesus is the True Life, he is the source of spiritual life. He is the true vine (Jn15:1). We need to be attached to him to be alive spiritually (Eph2:1.) We get attached to Him as we listen to His Words. We need to remain in Him to stay alive spiritually. We remain in Jesus not just by going to church, but as we personally remain in His Words and in His love (Jn15:7,9). Just as a branch draws on the vine’s life source, we need to depend on Jesus personally and draw on the source of spiritual life that only He can give and apart from Him we can do nothing (Jn15:5b).

Life and light is possible only for those who believe in the name of Jesus Christ, following the ways of the world is death. His life is light because it shows us where we came from and where we’re going back to. His life is light because it gives us hope in a world full of darkness. His light gives us life.
I John 5:11-13 And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.

“The life was the light of men” As Light He gives us sight. (Jn 12:46, John 9:39). Once again, Jesus spoke to the people and said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life." John 8:12. Jesus brings us the light that restores us from spiritual death and darkness John 9:39. The real blind are those who think they see outside of Jesus’ light.

While on manoeuvres, a battleship lookout noted a light in the dark, foggy night. After noting the light's coordinates, the captain recognized his ship was on a collision course with the other vessel. The captain instructed, "Signal the ship: We are on a collision course; advise you change course 20 degrees." The return signal countered, "Advisable for you to change course 20 degrees." The captain signalled, "I'm a captain, change course 20 degrees." The response was, "I'm a seaman second class, you'd better change your course 20 degrees." By this time the captain was furious. His signal curtly ordered, "I'm a battleship. Change course 20 degrees." The reply: "I'm a lighthouse. You make your decision."

Discussion: Characteristics of having life

• Capacity for Metabolism - ingestion, digestion absorption and excretion
• Growth – developing into maturity is what guarantees bearing of fruits
• Reaction to Stimuli – living in the world and not conforming to the world
• Reproduction – Making disciples and increasing the kingdom

John 3:19 "And this is the verdict: The Light has come into the world, but men loved the darkness rather than the Light because their deeds were evil."

CONCLUSION
Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” Follow thou Me. I am the way, the truth, and the life. John 14:6
“MY CHILD, the more you depart from yourself, the more you will be able to enter into Me. As the giving up of exterior things brings interior peace, so the forsaking of self unites you to God. I will have you learn perfect surrender to My will, without contradiction or complaint. Follow Me. I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Without the Way, there is no going. Without the Truth, there is no knowing. Without the Life, there is no living. I am the Way which you must follow, the Truth which you must believe, the Life for which you must hope. I am the inviolable Way, the infallible Truth, the unending Life. I am the Way that is straight, the supreme Truth, the Life that is true, the blessed, the uncreated Life. If you abide in My Way you shall know the Truth, and the Truth shall make you free, and you shall attain life everlasting. (Imitation of Christ by Thomas à Kempis)
Wise people realign their priorities to Christ and develop disciplines that will help them to pursue the light and bring others to the light.

Contributor: Wale Abiona

INTRODUCTION
Last week’s study demonstrated to us that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is the Word, the Word is life and spirit. The Word knows everything about the Father and reveals deep mysteries of God to us. By the Word we understand the Love of the Father, demonstrated through the Son. We concluded with the question “do you love the Word?”
In today’s study we want to show how Jesus Christ, the Word, and God are the same through biblical instances and see if “the Word” is an appropriate description of God.
John 1:1
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God”

Jesus Christ, the Word, and God are the same.
The following scriptures quoted of God and spoken by Christ show that both are the same. They bear the same Name and have the same glory, the same wisdom and knowledge.

John 17:5 - And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.

1 Corinthians 1:24 - but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

Colossians 2:2-3 - that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Biblical Instances
In the following Bible passages, God appeared in Word-Form
1. In the burning bush Exodus 3:3-4
2. On mount Horeb 1 Kings 19:12-13
3. On the road to Damascus Acts 3:3-4

Is “the Word” an appropriate description of God?
There may be some, who consider “the Word” not to be an appropriate description of God. Indeed, the Word is an appropriate description of God.
• The Word is inexhaustible, and God is infinite. Romans 11:33
• The Word is visible, so is God. Hebrews 11:2-4
• The Word is a mystery and God is unsearchable. Job 11:7; Job 23:8-9.
• All great decisions are expressed or executed by the written or spoken Word, and God is the great Decider who created things by His spoken Word. Deut.32:39
• The word comes from the hidden parts of man and God knows even the hidden thoughts of man. 1 Chronicles 28:9
• The Word fills the world and still resides in man, so is God. Genesis 1:3-26; 2:7 Then God said, “Let there be light, a firmament, Let the waters under the heavens be gathered, Let the earth bring forth grass, Let the earth bring forth the living creature and Let Us make man in Our image. Genesis 2:7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being. John 15:4

CONCLUSION
Now that we have seen why God chose the title “the Word” there remains one pertinent question: how can we walk with an unseen friend?
Genesis 6:9 gives us the clue. Do you want to walk with God? Are you determined to live a perfect life? Let us talk to the “Word” about it.

Contributor: Tobi Morakinyo

INTRODUCTION
The phrase "the Word of God" or "the Word of the Lord" has a number of different meanings in Scripture: (1) The spoken Word of God – personally spoken by God when addressing humans (Genesis 2:16-17), making a decree (e.g., Genesis 1:1-3), or spoken through His prophets/priests or Jesus Christ. (2) The written Word of God - has divine inspiration but human authorship, e.g., the Bible and Spirit-inspired books (2 Timothy 3:16-17). (3) Incarnate or The living Word of God i.e. The Word - This is the Word of God made flesh and lived among us (human), that is Jesus Christ, and this is who we will be studying more closely. May the Word Himself speak to our hearts tonight in His Name. Amen.

The Word and the Spirit
• Who is the Word? John 1:1-2. Jesus is the word of God, and a man is known by His words.
• How can we explain that Jesus is the Son of God? John 1:14. Jesus has a divine, incorruptible, and eternal origin, he existed at the beginning with God, the glory He showed is not ordinary but divine as of the begotten of the Father.
• How do we account for the Holy Spirit in the Trinity? I John 5:7. The Holy Spirit is the Breath of God and both the Holy Spirit, and the Word quickens.
• How then is Jesus equal to the Holy Spirit? John 6:63, Psalms 119:50. The Word and the Holy Spirit are the same.
• How do we know that Holy Spirit loves Jesus? John 16:13-14. We know that the Holy Spirit loves Christ because He glorifies Him.

The Unchanging Word
• Can God’s Word change? Isaiah 40:8. God’s word cannot change because Christ, the Word, changes not and is eternal.
• Give some of His unchangeable Words? Isaiah 9:6, Hebrew 13:8, Isaiah 53:5,Acts 1:8,and John 9:31. Some of His unchangeable words are that we are already healed, the Holy Ghost is available for us to empower us, and sinner’s prayers will not be answered unless they repent.

Result of the Word of God being from the beginning?
• What are some of the results of the facts that “the Word was with God from the beginning? John 14:8-11, John 9:4 , John 14:24, Matthew 11:27, John 17:25, John 3:35, John 17:26. The outcome of the Word being with God from the beginning includes:

(a) Intimacy in outlook in works and words

(b) deep and total knowledge of each other and

(c) deep love and trust of each other.

• How can we know the mysteries of God? We can know the mysteries of God by

(a) Revelation (Amos 3:7)

(b) nearness to Christ, the Word (John 15:15), and

(c) through the baptism in the Holy Spirit (1 Cor.2:9-10)

• How can we demonstrate our love for the Word? John 14:21, Matt.5:16, John 15:8, John 4:24.

We too can demonstrate our love for Christ by keeping His commandments and glorying Him

CONCLUSION
Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is the Word, the Word is life and spirit. The Word knows everything about the Father and reveals deep mysteries of God to man. And you know that the Word loves you, but do you love the Word? Do you glorify Him in your words, thoughts, and deeds? Would you love to start doing so from now on?

Contributor: Wilson Imade

INTRODUCTION
In the previous study we studies about the power of God. This week, we want to study about His wisdom because power can be dangerous in the hand of a fool. There are all sorts of wisdom but true, pure beneficial and divinely approved wisdom comes from God only, Daniel 2:20.
“20 Daniel answered and said: “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, For wisdom and might are His. 21 And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise And knowledge to those who have understanding. 22 He reveals deep and secret things; He knows what is in the darkness, And light dwells with Him.”

1.DIVINE WISDOM IS A GOLD MINE
The spirit of the Lord that gives power is also the same that gives wisdom, understanding, knowledge and the fear of God. However, the scriptures confirm that Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. This proves that the holy spirit and Jesus Christ are one and there is only one God. The wisdom of God is like gold mine the deeper you dig, the richer you become. Which implies that the more you know of Christ, the wiser you become because Jesus Christ is that " Gold mine" Isa.11:2, 1Cor.1:24

2.BUT THE HIGHEST WORDLY WISDOM FALLS SHORT OF THE "FOLLY" OF GOD
The wisdom is of this world is foolishness with God because (i) they are based on vanity and pursue vanity (ii) it eventually leads to destruction, so that what men call the foolishness of God is still wiser than the wisdom of men. For one thing, God can destroy the wisdom of men, but men cannot destroy the wisdom of God. Worldly wisdom is sensual and devilish, but divine wisdom is pure, peaceful, gentle, patient, merciful, good, impartial and straightforward. 1 cor.3:19-20, 1 Cor.1:25, Isa.29:14, Jer.4:22, Jam.3:15-17, Rom.1:22

3.TRUE WISDOM IS A VERY PRECIOUS GIFT FROM GOD
True wisdom is worth more than gold, silver, pearls, and rubies. That is why Divine wise man is a happy man. True wisdom is in the same category as light, which is understandable since Jesus the wisdom of God, is also the light of the world. A wise man is stronger than them mighty men, hence when God gives a man wisdom; no one will be able to resist him. Consequently, if you cannot get anything else from God be
sure you get wisdom from Him. Job 28:12-19, Prov.8:11, Eccl.2:13, Eccl.7:12, Eccl.2:26, Luke 21:15, Dan.2:21, James 1:5, Prov.4:7

4.IT IS EASY TO RECOGNISE A MAN WHO LACKS WISDOM
Some of the signs of a man devoid of wisdom are (i) unwillingness to acknowledge God as Supreme, (ii) inability to accept correction, (vi) love of arguments, (vii) meddling in other people's affairs, (viii) trusting his own abilities, (ix) acquiring wealth by fraudulent means, (x) crookedness or hypocrisy, and (xi) living as if everything ends in this world. Ps.53:1, Prov.10:18, Prov.14:9, Prov.19:6, Prov.20:3, Jer.17:11, Luke 11:39-40

5.IT IS ALSO EASY TO RECOGNISE A WISE MAN
Some of the signs of a wise man are (i) he fears God, (ii) he puts into practice whatsoever he learns from the scriptures, (iii) he searches the scriptures constantly to discover how God wants him to live, (iv) he is a man of few words (v) he is considered a fool by those who have worldly wisdom. Job28:28, 32:7, Matt.7:24, I Cor.2:6, I Cor.12:8, I Cor.3:18, II Tim.3:15, Eccl.5:3,Pro.15:2, Prov.12:23.

6.GOD'S TRAP FOR THE WORLDY WISE IS THEIR WISDOM
God's way of catching the wise man of this world is by turning their wisdom to foolishness, spoiling their grand designs while God ultimately has the last laugh. Examples in the bible include Samson versus the Philistines, David versus Goliath, King Saul and the witch of Endor, David versus Nathan, Haman versus Mordecai, the case of Gehazi and Saul's journey to Damascus. Judges 16:23-24, Isaiah 17:43-51, Isa.28:7-19, Isa.12:14, Esther 7:9-10, II kings 5:20-27, Acts 1:7-22. Are you on His side or in His trap.

CONCLUSION
To become a wise man or woman we must become “a fool” in the hand of God.1st Corinthians 1:24-28 tells us that God chooses the foolish things of this world to confound the wise. Matthew 7:24- 27 tells us the difference between a wise and a foolish man. Therefore we must choose to obey and do whatever God says so that we can be counted as wise.