Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.

Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. 1 Timothy 4:13 & 15

The weight of a substance determines the depth of the sound it makes when it lands on the ground. Our impact is a function of our spiritual weight and this is what defines our practice. This weight is achieved through in-depth study of the Word.

Where we stand with the Word today determines our place tomorrow, because everything in life answers to the Word and everything was made by the Word (John 1:1-3).

We must know that our lives can be transformed through studying. This is because whether written or spoken, the value of words cannot be adequately quantified. Words either make or break destinies. That is why God gave us His Word as a roadmap to guide us through the journey of life.

Therefore, our study of His Word determines our victory in life. It is Word depth that determines Word impact, and Word explosion is the trigger for all supernatural manifestations. When we apply ourselves to the depth of God’s Word as unfolded to us, and we prove it in our lives, our profiting will appear to all.

As it is written: Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15).

We must study the Word effectively if we do not want to be downcast or ashamed. The Bible clearly states that when we seek, we shall find. Thus, the answer to our challenges is in seeking the Word for appropriate solutions.

The Art of Studying

The art of studying involves a conscious search for facts that have to do with our needs. We search the Word for heavenly information that will ultimately produce earthly transformations. When we commit to Word study, we search with the intent of finding something of benefit that will change our lives forever. It is a committed study that makes Christian living profitable.

Some years ago, the Holy Spirit said to me, “Learning is richer than praying; learning has greater value than fasting. Learning is the master key to living.” What it takes to get what we want from the Word is far cheaper than the challenge we are going through.

Many years ago, I was desperate to find the mystery of Kingdom prosperity. Thus, I read the books, The Laws of Prosperity and God’s Will is Prosperity by Kenneth and Gloria Copeland respectively. I searched desperately like someone who had lost something and must find it, and I did that while in a three-day fast.

At the end of that exercise, my understanding broadened, my spirit-man caught fresh fire and I had spiritual insight on the subject matter. With that, I spun around and screamed, “I can never be poor!” Through that encounter, God delivered me from poverty and gave me command over financial issues forever.

We can gain command over any issue of concern through the Word and this can only come by the revelation of the truth, which we encounter in quality Word study. We might have been struggling with some issues, it does not matter the years they have lingered, all we need is an encounter with the Word. Engaging in targeted study helps us encounter light that will enable us dominate those issues.

However, we must note that the main purpose of our study is to show ourselves approved of God. It is when we show ourselves approved of God that we have proofs, which culminates in our turnarounds.

To rightly divide the Word of truth is to know which scripture is most appropriate to handle a particular challenge; that means, having a revelation of the right word to produce our desired turnarounds. Being supernaturally in control of the issues of life is not a function of chance, but of choice. Until we choose to know how to get what we desire from the Word, our struggles continue.

I remember when the spirit of death accosted our last daughter, I had to seek a quiet time with God to get a solution over that issue. I said, “Lord, there must be a way out.” He gave me four scriptures that dominated that challenge. He said to me from Revelation chapter 1 verse 18, “I am He that was dead and behold I am alive and I live forever more and I have the keys of hell and of death in My hand; and I am holding that key in favour of My children.” That scripture came from a quality Word study.

Therefore, it is the quality of the Word in us, which comes from adequate Word study, that defines the happenings in and around us. When we throw a stone into water, the size of the stone is what determines the spread of the ripples on the face of the water. It is the same with the Word, with regards to tackling the issues that confront us.

For instance, Daniel was a studious man, because he said he understood by books and through that understanding, he had insights that made him important to four governments in his time, even in captivity. Nothing can take the place of a studious life; not even our gift or anointing.

Paul was also a man with great unction, but he could not do without studying. He said: The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments (2 Timothy 4:13).

Therefore, constant study of the Word and application of it is key to our desired change. What we derive from the Word addresses all issues of life and answers every bugging question that may confront us. That is why no student of the Word is a failure.

A lady was stagnated in her career and according to her: In September 2011, I got a temporary appointment. In that organisation, I met so many temporary staff who had stayed up to nine years. However, I told myself that my own case is different.

In April 2012, a lady in my office resigned and I was posted to her office. I kept declaring Psalm 75 verses 6 and 7, and I stood upon this Word from where I caught light! Few days after Shiloh 2012, I was called to receive my permanent appointment letter. I give all the praise to God! -Betty, I. E.

Whatever we need, can be obtained from ou knowledge of the Word. Until we find it in the Word it cannot be fulfilled in our lives. It is, therefor necessary to give adequate attention to Word study…

This text is an extract from the book “TURNAROUND POWER OF THE WORD” written by David O. Oyedepo. 
We invite you to read the following article “The Word in Season“.