Make Progress: Start with the Word

By Rev Dunamis Okunowo · Tuesday, 29 September 2026 · 4 min read

Starting with the Word is one of the safest ways to make progress. The message of Make Progress is a call to steady spiritual growth. God is interested in the whole person: faith, character, wisdom, relationships and service. Progress is not measured only by public results. It is also seen in the private choices that make a person dependable, teachable and ready to serve.

The Word of God gives us a foundation for growth. We do not build by human energy alone. We listen, study, pray and then practise what we have received. A sermon becomes fruitful when it changes our conversations, priorities and decisions. This is why spiritual growth requires both inspiration and action.

One practical step is to choose a clear response. Set aside time each day to read, reflect and pray. Write down what you are learning and identify one action that will put it into practice. Growth becomes easier to recognise when we turn vague intentions into faithful habits.

Do not despise small beginnings. A strong life is built through repeated obedience. Some days will feel powerful; other days will feel ordinary. Both days matter. Consistency allows God to form depth in us, and depth prepares us to carry greater responsibility without losing our dependence on Him.

Progress also involves correction. We must be willing to admit where we are weak, seek wise counsel and make changes. Pride protects a weakness; humility brings it into the light so that it can be healed. The people around us should be able to see increasing patience, honesty, compassion and courage.

This week, reflect on the message and write down three questions: What is God asking me to begin? What is He asking me to stop? What must I continue even though I have not seen the result yet? Bring those questions to prayer, then take the next faithful step.

Prayer: Father, help me to grow with patience and purpose. Give me grace to receive Your Word, courage to obey it and wisdom to recognise the progress You are producing in me. Make my life a blessing to others. Amen.

The Bible is not merely a source of encouraging quotations. It reveals God’s character, corrects our thinking and teaches us how to live. When the Word becomes our reference point, our decisions are no longer controlled by every changing opinion or emotion. We learn to test our plans by truth.

Reading should become a meeting with God, not a race to complete a number of chapters. Ask what the passage says, what it reveals about God and what response it requires from you. Even one sentence can become a direction for the day when it is received with faith.

A useful rhythm is read, reflect, pray and practise. Read slowly enough to understand. Reflect on the meaning. Pray for grace to respond. Then look for one opportunity to obey. This approach turns Bible study into a living conversation that shapes everyday life.

When we build on the Word, we gain stability. Trials may still come, but we are less easily moved by fear, pressure or confusion. The Word gives us language for prayer and wisdom for relationships. It also exposes motives that need to change.

Do not wait for a perfect schedule. Start with a realistic time and protect it. Keep a notebook, remove distractions and return when you miss a day. The goal is not performance; the goal is relationship and transformation.

Prayer: Lord, give me hunger for Your Word. Help me understand it, treasure it and obey it. Let Your truth guide my choices and make my life stable, fruitful and useful. Amen.