Fruitful Living
The power and means to change: The Word of God
• The Bible reveals God’s truth
All Scripture is God-breathed and is 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 3:16-17
INTRODUCTION
The Bible is not a collection of stories, fables, myths, or merely human ideas about God. Through the Holy Spirit, God revealed His person and plan to certain believers, who wrote down His message for His people. Scripture is completely trustworthy because God was in control of its writing. Its words are entirely authoritative for our faith and life. The Bible is ‘God-breathed.’ Read it and use its teachings to guide your conduct.
The whole Bible is God’s inspired Word, because it is inspired and trustworthy, we should read it and apply it to our life also. The Bible is our standard for testing everything else that claims to be true. It is our safeguard against false teaching and our source of guidance for how we should live. It is our only source of knowledge about how we can be saved. God wants to show us what is true and equip us to live for Him. How much time do we spend in God’s Word? Read it regularly to discover God’s truth and to become confident in our lives and faith.
In our zeal for the truth of Scripture, we must never forget its purpose – to equip us to do good. We should not study God’s Word simply to increase our knowledge or to prepare us to win arguments. We should study the Bible so that we will know how to do Christ’s work in the world. Our knowledge of God’s Word is not useful unless it strengthens our faith and leads us to do good.
1. The Word of God is powerful; because it is the declaration of Almighty God who created all that exists and continues to work out His purposes for the good of all creation. God commanded creation into existence by His Word – In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. – (Genesis 1:3).
Spiritual re-creation is also through the Word of God – For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. – 1 Peter 1:23.
2. We experience cleansing in our spiritual journeys through the Word of God. Jesus said, ‘You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you’ – John 15:3. It is also by the Word of God that we are sanctified; being set apart from sin for holiness – (Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth – John 17:17)
3. We also experience growth and transformation in our lives through the Word of God. The two parallel passages of Scripture; Ephesians 5:15-20 and Colossians 3:12-17 address being filled with the Spirit and the Word of God, respectively:
‘Be very careful, then, how you live-not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. – Ephesians 5:15-20
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. – Colossians 3:12-17.
It is not a coincidence that the results of the two infillings are the same; that is in-depth spirituality and fruitfulness. Lives are transformed as we obey the Word of God in the power of the Holy Spirit.
4. God’s part is to cause spiritual re-creation, growth, and fruitfulness through the working of His Spirit in our lives. Our party is to obey God by the faith that works through love. ‘For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.’ – Galatians 5:6.
- To experience lasting change, we need to abandon our lives wholeheartedly and totally to God. The life and teachings of Jesus Christ provide us with a good example. Jesus dedicated His life to God’s will when He declared to God that, ‘Lo I have come to do your will’ – Hebrews 10:9.
- Secondly, we need to fill our lives with the Word of God.
- Thirdly, we need to live our lives in obedience to God’s Word through dependence on the Spirit of God.
5. A common result of being filled with the Word of God and the Spirit of God (Ephesians 5 and Colossians 3) is gratitude to God.
If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. – John 15:7-8
As God causes growth and fruitfulness in our lives, we have cause to praise and thank Him for His grace. We are motivated and directed by His Spirit and Word to do all things as unto Him. ‘Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,’ – Colossians 3:23.
6.As Christians live by the Word of God, churches are transformed. Transforming Christians and churches can impact the rest of society for good. Let us, therefore, strive to be doers of the Word, and not only hearers. ‘Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.’ – James 1:22.
Conclusion
The Word of God is a powerful instrument for change because it is the revelation of the will of God and is backed by His unlimited power.
Published by permission from AFREG.
Stay blessed!
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By Dr. Joyce Aryee, the author
Satan tempts Jesus with the offer of rulership over all the kingdoms of the world, a proposal that Jesus rejects. This could be viewed as an appeal for material wealth, possessions and power.
Jesus’ kingdom in this age is not a worldly kingdom. Throughout His ministry, Jesus would refuse to seek a kingdom for Himself by the worldly methods of compromise, earthly power, political maneuvering, external violence or personal popularity.
Jesus’ kingdom is a spiritual one, established in the hearts of His people, who have also refused to follow the ungodly ways of the world. As a heavenly kingdom,
- It is gained through suffering, self – denial, humility and meekness – the opposite of how worldly people pursue power;
- It requires surrendering ourselves as living and holy sacrifices completely devoted and obedient to God and His purposes; Romans 12:1 – Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.
- It involves a battle against Satan, sin, temptation and evil using spiritual weapons. Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. – Ephesians 6:10-20.
- It means resisting conformity to the beliefs, behaviours and lifestyles that are common in the world. Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever. – 1 John 2:15-17
Satan’s appeal to worship Him was an attempt to get Jesus to take a quick route to a world domination – to avoid the humility and sufferings that would lead to Jesus’ death on the cross. This is to say, the devil was trying to get Jesus to lay aside His entire purpose for coming to earth. Christ’s willingness to face all the difficulties that lay ahead is an example to all believers. He taught us that there are no shortcuts to fulfilling God’s perfect purposes for our lives, no matter how tempting the options may seem.
Stay Blessed!
By Rev. Dr Joyce Aryee
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Preparing for Ramadan through the month of Sha‘ban
THE month of Sha‘ban, which precedes Ramadan, serves as a spiritual training ground. The Prophet (s.a.w.) devoted significant attention to this month, fasting frequently and encouraging heightened acts of worship. ‘Aishah (r.a.) narrated:
“I did not see the Messenger of Allah complete fasting in any month except Ramadan, and I did not see him fast more in any month than in Sha‘ban.” (Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī; Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim)
During Sha‘ban, Muslims are encouraged to:
• Observe optional fasts,
• Increase Qur’anic recitation,
• Engage in charitable deeds (ṣadaqah),
• Strengthen community bonds and service.
These acts gradually condition both the body and soul for the rigours and blessings of Ramadan.
Scholarly guidance and community sensitisation
Across Muslim communities, scholars and religious leaders organise lectures, workshops, sermons, and media engagements to educate the Ummah about Ramadan. These initiatives address:
• The jurisprudence (fiqh) of fasting,
• The obligation to make up missed fasts from previous years,
• The ethical conduct expected during Ramadan,
• The spiritual, social, and health benefits of fasting.
Modern studies have also affirmed that fasting, when properly observed, contributes to improved self-discipline, metabolic balance, and emotional regulation—findings that align with Islamic teachings on moderation and self-control.
The role of parents and families in Ramadan preparation
Preparation begins at home. Parents play a vital role in nurturing a Ramadan-conscious environment by:
• Encouraging children and young adults to try voluntary fasts,
• Training family members to wake up for Tahajjud (night prayers),
• Establishing regular family supplications and Qur’an reading sessions.
Such practices help instill lifelong spiritual habits and strengthen family unity through shared worship.
By Imam Alhaji Saeed Abdulai
