THEME: CARVED OUT
DAY 4: FRAMED BY THE WORD
TEXT: HEBREWS 11:3, JOHN 1:1-3, GEN. 1:1-3
BIBLE READING: EZEKIEL 37:1-14; LUKE 5:1-7
You’re welcome to the 4th day of our prayer and fasting experience, beautiful sisters. I believe you have been encountering God.
Don’t worry if it seems like you’re not yet ‘feeling’ the vibes. It’s not about your feelings, sister because even when you can’t see it or feel it, God is at work.
Hallelujah!
Rest assured that as you lift your voice to the Father by faith and with sincerity of heart, He’ll come through for you.
I want you to sing this song prayerfully as we go into what God has for us today.
SPEAK THE WORD by Chris Tomlin
Speak the Word
Speak the Word
Speak the Word,
The eternal, infallible Word
Speak the truth to me
Let it set me free
Speak the Word
Speak the Word
Speak the Word,
The eternal, divine holy Word
Let it calm my soul
Shape and make me whole
Speak the Word
I will hide it in my heart
Cherish every part
Let it heal, renew
Cleanse me through and through
I will make it my delight
Living by its light
My faith I know will rise
These words so rich and wise
Speak the Word
Speak the Word
Speak the Word
Speak the Word,
The eternal, infallible Word
Let its power rise
To dispel all lies
Speak the Word
Speak the Word
Speak the Word,
The eternal, divine holy Word
Let it light my path
As each promise stands
Speak the Word
I will hide it in my heart
Cherish every part
Let it heal, renew
Cleanse me through and through
I will make it my delight
Living by its light
My faith I know will rise
These words so rich and wise
Speak the Word
Speak the Word
Speak the Word
Let’s dive right into today’s business.
Today, we would be looking at the topic, ‘FRAMED BY THE WORD’.
Hmm…
On the first day of this programme, we looked into the topic, ‘Let there be…!’ and on the second day our prayers bordered on the issue of faith. The topic for the third day was ‘Peace be Still’.
Those sessions already laid a good foundation for our prayers today. We would be building on them.
Hebrews 11:3(AMP) says:
*“By faith we understand that the worlds [during the successive ages] were framed (fashioned, put in order, and equipped for their intended purpose) by the word of God, so that what we see was not made out of things which are visible. (AMP)”*
What does it mean to ‘frame’?
In this context, to frame means to create, form, make, construct, build, mould, fabricate, shape etc. This is very similar to what the word, carve, means.
We know that the worlds were created by the word of God. But think about it; why did the God of the entire universe have to speak things into existence? Why didn’t He just think in His heart and boom! Those things will just come into existence.
It’s because God honours the presence of the Word in all divine affairs. The Trinity always works in unity. (The Spirit was there too, hovering over the waters- Gen. 1).
1 John 5.7 shows us this clearly as it says, “For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one.”
Now, if you know about installing software/applications on computers, you would know that some require you to input an activation key before they can work.
The application/software may have been downloaded to your computer but without activation it would be useless.
In the same way, God had the intention to create the world but He could do nothing without the word because that was the activation key.
But note, dear sisters, that the Word will not activate what is not on the heart of the Father. You’ll see that as we proceed.
Genesis 1:1 says,
*“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.”*
Someone may argue that God had created the heavens and the earth before speaking any word as recorded in Genesis 1:1
But the Bible tells us that in John 1:1-3 that,
1 – In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 – He was in the beginning with God.
3 – All things were made through Him, and without Him *nothing was made that was made.*
Did you see that ending part of verse 3, sisters? The word has always been an important factor in creation.
And who or what is this Word?
Do you know?
The text above answers it.
Did you say JESUS? You’re absolutely correct!
John further tells us in verse 14 of chapter 1 that “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us …”
Now when Jesus, who is the Word, came to earth and became flesh among us, you will observe that He constantly spoke words over lives and situations. And there was no word He spoke, whether to the oppressed, sick or dead that was not honoured-NONE!
Jesus believed that His Father would do whatsoever He asked, but He didn’t stop at believing.
He exercised His faith in God by speaking things that were not as though they were and they came to be. He spoke freedom, sight, deliverance, life and more into existence.
As children of God, we have this same authority that Jesus had. If we believe,
•We can construct our destinies by the words we speak;
•We can build our homes, the lives of our children, our careers and businesses by speaking forth the word of God;
•We can repair and reshape situations that have gone bad with God’s Word.
In John 14:12 Jesus said, *“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and GREATER works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.*
Amazing!!!
Now let me take you to what Jesus said in John 12:49 to see the clause we need to note
*“For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak.”*
This means that all the declarations that Jesus made were based on what He heard from the Father. So his declaration that the sick be healed, his telling the dead to rise, and more were not His initiative but the Father’s.
I pointed this out because many of us have bought into the *name it claim it* doctrine that makes us believe that once we confess anything consistently by faith, we will have it.
The fulfillment of God’s promise is not dependent on your words but on the potency of His promises and his faithfulness to bring them to pass. So don’t get frustrated when you’ve put in all the faith confessions and you’re not seeing the results you want. *It’s not about what you want but about what God wants to do.*
The Bible says,
*“Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything ACCORDING TO HIS WILL, He hears us.*”
(1 John.5.14)
Say this prayer quickly:
*Father, give me a desire for Your will alone. I want only what You want for me, nothing more, nothing less. I want to love only what you want for me in the name of Jesus. I want to be built into the design you intend for me, nothing else.*
Amen!
When you speak words that are devoid of selfishness and vain ambition, I mean when you decree things as they are in the heart of the Father, they will NEVER return to Him void. I love to say that you can never go wrong when you speak God’s words as they are.
Isaiah 40:8 says, *“The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever.”*
Whoosh!!!
*All that you can and will be is based on God’s word. Your reality is in God’s word!*
Sisters, let’s charge ourselves up with the song below. Learn it and sing it with great assurance in your heart that God’s word concerning you can never be thwarted.
YOUR WORD OH GOD by Chingtok Ishaku
Your Word oh God is life to my soul
And it’s healing to me
Your Word oh God is light to my path
(2x)
Though the grasses wither
And the flowers will fade
But Your Word will remain
Your Word oh God is beauty to me
(2x)
Broken Lord I come for Your word to invade
As I stand on my knees
Your Word oh God is anointing to rule
(2x)
Chorus:
When visions are blur to lead
When prophecy, tongues are frail
Your Word will remain my sight
I lose me to follow You
Your Word oh God is our weapon to frame
Bringing nations to light
Your Word oh God is the light on the hill
(2x)
Though the righteous falls
But he rises again at the might of Your word
Your Word oh God is assurance to me
(2x)
Chorus:
When visions are blur to lead
When prophecy, tongues are frail
Your Word will remain my sight
I lose me to follow You
[2x]
Bridge:
Nothing else matters
Nothing else will do
(9x)
So though the righteous falls
But he rises again at the might of Your word
Your Word oh God is assurance to me
Though the righteous falls
But he rises again at the might of Your word
Your Word oh God is assurance to me
Broken Lord I come for Your word to invade
As I stand on my knees
Your Word oh God is anointing to rule
(2x)
Chorus:
When visions are blur to lead
When prophecy, tongues are frail
Your Word will remain my sight
I lose me to follow You
[5x]
I believe you’ve been charged by that song.
I’d like to call your attention to two dimensions in which I’ve seen God’s word work.
1. CREATION
To create means to bring something into existence. In creating, you build, construct, mould, etc.
We have seen this in the way God created the world as recorded in Genesis 1 and John 1.
Another example that reveals the creative dimension of God’s word was the experience of Mary with Angel Gabriel.
The saviour and deliverer of the world was birthed through her by the word of the Lord.
So what is it that has never existed in your life that You desire God to bring into being? He can do it, according to His will and His word.
2. RECREATION
To recreate means to create again.
To recreate something, it would probably be that it was destroyed, damaged, lost or misplaced.
In recreating, you rebuild, reconstruct, remould, etc.
So, in the case of the woman with the issue of blood, she lost her sound health but had it restored. Lazarus lost his life but Jesus brought him back to life.
What is it that you’ve lost or misplaced or that has been damaged in your life? God can restore it.
Sisters, a closed mouth is a closed destiny. When the Bible says faith without works is dead, do you know that sometimes, the work you need to do in some situations is to just speak the word fervently in prayers and declarations? Do you remember what the Centurion said with regards to the healing of his servant? (Luke 7:7)
Let me note here that the importance of faith in this mission of framing our world by the word is that we must believe whatever it is we are speaking.
On a final note, Genesis 1 tells us that the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. Then God said…”
Is there a facet of your life is formless or shapeless? God is set to frame it by His word.
We’re going to examine what God has said and by faith declare them and we will receive answers in Jesus’ name. Amen!
So, today we’re going to be speaking God’s words over our lives as recorded in the word of God.
*FIRST…*
•Worship God and appreciate Him
Declare his love and faithfulness towards you.
Make use of the Psalm below to worship God.
Psalm 103:1-5
A Psalm of David.
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And all that is within me, bless His holy name.
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And forget none of His benefits;
Who pardons all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases;
read more.
Who redeems your life from the pit,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion;
Who satisfies your years with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle.
•Admit your wrongdoings and ask God to cleanse you.
•Ask that the Lord will take over your tongue as you pray.
*NEXT…*
YOUR WORD by Awakening Music
I’d like you to sing this song as we begin to pray
Verse 1:
You said
You would give Your angels charge around us
You said
Weapons formed against us shall not prosper
You said
Truth will be our shield and our defender
You said
Verse 2:
You said
I am the Alpha and Omega
You said
I am the bread of life from heaven
You said
I am the way, the truth, the life
You said
Chorus:
Your word can never be broken
Can never be broken
It is written and it’s certain
Your word can never be broken
Can never be broken
It is alive and it is working
Verse 3:
You said
A city on a hill cannot be hidden
You said
Ask of Me and I will give you nations
You said
The gates of hell shall not prevail against us
You said
Bridge:
Your light
Your truth
We claim the blood of Jesus
Proclaim the word of Jesus
At every door
Tag:
At every door
On every street
On every life
Let it release
We claim the blood of Jesus
Proclaim the word of Jesus
*NOW…*
*Pray with these scriptures. Please, don’t just read what’s in this outline. Open your Bible and read. Let the verses come alive in your Spirit and utilise them in prayer.*
Greater is He who is in me than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4).
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13).
I walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, pleasing Him in all respects. I bear fruit in every good work and I am increasing in the knowledge of God (Colossians 1:10 NAS).
My God supplies all my needs according to His riches in glory in Christ (Philippians 4:19).
God makes all grace abound toward me so that I always have all sufficiency and an abundance for every good work (2 Corinthians 9:8).
I am greatly blessed as I obey the Lord my God (Deuteronomy 28:2 NLT).
The Lord is my God! He is mighty to save. He rejoices over me with gladness and singing. I am quieted by His love (Zephaniah 3:17).
I am no longer called Forsaken or Desolate. My new names are Hephzibah (my delight is in her) and Beulah (married). He delights in me and I am married to Him (Isaiah 62:4)!
As I hear the word, my faith increases (Romans 10:17).
As I speak God’s word, it does not return to Him void. His word accomplishes what He pleases and it prospers in the thing for which He sends it (Isaiah 55:11).
I have a wholesome tongue which is a tree of life to myself and others (Proverbs 15:4).
God satisfies my years with good things and renews my youth like the eagles’ (Psalm 103:5).
The LORD causes all who rise against me to be defeated before my face; they come out against me one way and flee before me seven ways (Deuteronomy 28:7).
I prosper in all things and remain in health just as my soul prospers (3 John 1:3).
The Lord has established me as a holy person to Himself. I keep His commandments and walk in His ways (Deuteronomy 28:9).
The Lord makes me the head and not the tail, above and not beneath (Deuteronomy 28:13).
My ways please the LORD and He makes even my enemies to be at peace with me (Proverbs 16:7).
God works in me both to will and to do His good pleasure (Philippians 2:13).
I hold fast to the word of life. In the day of Christ’s return, I will have reason to glory because I did not run or labor in vain (Philippians 2:16).
Nothing can separate me from the love of Christ (Romans 8:35-39).
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want (Psalm 23:1).
I cast all my cares upon the Lord because He cares for me (1 Peter 5:7).
All things work together for my good, because I love God, I’m called to his purpose (Romans 8:28).
I know that He who has begun a good work in me will complete it (Philippians 1:6).
*A QUICK DIY…*
Is there any situation in your life that needs urgent attention? Look for 5-10 scriptures that deal with that particular area and pray and make declarations with them. You can check the Internet for suggestions if none is readily coming to mind.
*FINALLY…*
Appreciate God for hearing and answering your prayers.
Sing this song with confident assurance.
YES AND AMEN by Chris Tomlin
Father of kindness
You have poured out of grace
You brought me out of darkness
You have filled me with peace
Giver of mercy
You’re my help in time of need
Lord I can’t help but sing
CHORUS: Faithful you are
Faithful forever you will be
Faithful you are
All your promises are yes and Amen
All your promises are yes and Amen
Beautiful Saviour
You have brought me near
You pulled me from the ashes
You have broken every curse
Blessed redeemer
You have set this captive free
Lord I can’t help but sing
CHORUS: Faithful you are…
I will rest in your promises
My confidence is your faithfulness
I will rest in your promises
My confidence is your faithfulness
(Repeat)
CHORUS: Faithful you are…
All your promises are yes and Amen
All your promises are yes and Amen
WHEN YOU ARE THROUGH PLEASE STUDY EZEKIEL 37:1-14 AND LUKE 5:1-7 AND WE WILL MEET BY 5PM TO DISCUSS.
HAVE A WONDERFUL PRAYER EXPERIENCE!
