Key Scriptures:

• Matthew 13: 3-9
• 1 Thessalonians 2:13

Recurrent Thought

God’s plan for our growth, comfort, strength is hidden in his word. In it, he is able to guide us, perfect us, and comfort us.  The study of God’s word, therefore, is a critical spiritual discipline that the believer cannot do without! For the past few months, we have received a building up sermon in and sermon out and the central themes have been around God’s word, prayer and the urgent need for growth and maturity.

As guided by the two scriptures, we see that the word of God works! It is effectual and produces in us what God wants in our lives. In Isaiah 55:10-11 we learn that

1. The word God sends will, inherent to its nature, always produce what he wants. It never returns back to him without accomplishing what God wants.
2. God sends his word for a purpose. The word is God’s instrument for transforming lives and things on the earth.

The bible has given us examples of why God sends us his word in 2 Timothy 3: 16

1. Instruction/Training in Righteousness. There is a way that God would like the believer to live, and. Paul often admonished the church to “walk worthy of the calling”- Eph 4:1-3.
2. Guard against error/wrong: it profitable for correction. The Sadducees errored in Matthew 22:29 because of not knowing the scriptures. The word of God is a guardrail from the errors one would make in relationships, dating, business, doctrine and all spheres of life!
3. Through revelation, the word of God gives direction for prayer (Daniel 9:1-3)

“The man that prays but has no word content risks lacking direction. The man that has  the word but has no prayer risks lacking energy”

~Ps Joseph Njalayatha

Notwithstanding the purposes and effectual working of his word, the parable of the Sower reveals to us that the result can be different. Some get 40-fold, others 60-fold and others a 100-fold. A great harvest! And a further introspection of the scriptures will show that the harvest is not determined by the Sower nor the seed but rather the receiver of the word of God. We can therefore inspire ourselves for a great harvest with some core insights as we study/hear the word of God that make it work in our lives.

1. The attitude/posture you have as you receive God’s word matter!
   • Is it man opinion or mere words you are receiving or is God’s supreme, inerrant, incorruptible, immutable word.
   • Jesus said, be careful how you hear/listen! (Luke 8:18)
2. Receiving His word with heart. (Ezekiel 3:10 NKJV; Psalm 119: 11; Luke 8:15).
   • The effectual working of the word of God, just like most spiritual practices, is a heart issue.
   • The Hebrew word for the word heart means the inner man, where we find the seat of
   • Appetites [Cravings, desires]
   • Passions [intense convictions; a strong feeling of enthusiasm or excitement for something]
   • God desires our hearts, and if his word can exert influence over our heart’s desires, and passions there is always a bearing of fruit. Once the word begins to change and transform our cravings, that we then seek and desire those things that are above, we make room for the manifestation of his word!
3. Devotion to his word
   • The early church was devoted to the teachings (God’s word) that came through the apostles [Act 2:42] and the Apostles devoted to the word [Acts 6:4]
   • The word connotes a separation, and exclusivity to the study of the word, and to be totally given into the practice of the word. (Give thyself Wholly!!)
   • It further connotes a strict adherence to something/ not allowing room for deviations, and that is what the Apostles did.
4. Meditating on God’s word. [Joshua 1: 8; 1 Timothy 4: 13-15 (NKJV)]
   • In the parable of the Sower, we see that the word did not work for others because, it had no depth and lacked roots! [Matthew 13:5-6] When we meditate, we give roots to the word of the Lord in our hearts.
   • The practice of meditation on God’s word builds convictions in our spirit-man. It allows us to form formidable strongholds and sternness in our hearts in our knowledge of God. The things that we hold to be true, no matter what!! Stubbornness of mind!
   • It is not he that reads most but he that meditates most that will prove to be the choicest, sweetest, wisest and strongest Christian.
   • ~Thomas Brooks
   • Meditation is what builds our faith!

Conclusion and Prayer

1. Lord, give me a hunger for your word!
2. Give me strategies and insights that will help me be devoted and disciplined in the study of your word
3. Teach me your word and give me understanding as I study [Psalm 119:33-34]