How to Be Divine and Powerful
By Dr. Lawrence Osifo
Chapter One
The Will of God
The sun was setting gently over the quiet settlement. In the village square, Elder Osifo gathered a few youths under the shade of a great iroko tree. Among them was Japheth, a young man full of dreams but weighed down with fear and confusion.Elder Osifo began to speak softly but firmly. “My Children; listen well. To be divine and powerful, you must first learn the will of God. For Jesus himself said, ‘I do what pleases my Father always.’ The true secret of divine power is obedience.”Japheth raised his hand timidly. “Elder, why do I always feel weak? Even when I try to pray, fear rises inside me.”The elder smiled. “My son, Job once said that the things he feared most came upon him. Fear destroys power. But faith releases it. Without faith, no one can please God. That is why the Holy Scriptures say, ‘Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all other things shall be added unto you.’ When you believe and walk in faith, you invite the Holy Spirit into your life.”Another youth, Itohan, asked curiously, “But Elder, how does the Holy Spirit make us powerful?”“Ah!” Elder Osifo exclaimed. “Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. When He dwells in you, no evil can occupy you. You will stand strong against affliction. To whom you yield your spirit to obey, you become a servant. If you yield to fear, you serve weakness. If you yield to the Spirit of God, you carry power.”He paused, then added, “Remember this: to err is human, but the ability to forgive makes a man divine. Forgiveness is not weakness—it is power. And love, children… love is the ultimate power. Whoever that is walking in love carries the very strength of God.”The youths nodded, a new light glowing in their eyes.
Reflection Questions (Chapter One)
1. Why is faith important in pleasing God? …………………………………………………………………………………….
2. How does fear destroy power? …………………………………………………………………………………….
3. In what way is forgiveness a form of divine power? …………………………………………………………………………………….
4. What did Elder Osifo mean by “to whom you yield your spirit, you are his servant”? …………………………………………………………………………………….
5. Why is love described as the ultimate power? …………………………………………………………………………………….
Chapter Two
The Source of Power
Weeks later; Japheth visited Elder Osifo again. This time, he came with a troubled heart.“Elder,” Japheth confessed, “I have been struggling with challenges in my family. I feel powerless. How can I truly receive this power you speak of?” The elder looked at him with compassion.“Power does not come from human strength, my son. It comes from the Spirit of God. Abraham received power because he believed the Lord, even when everything seemed impossible. David was just a shepherd boy, but he overcame Goliath because he surrendered to the Spirit. Paul found power to live well when he yielded to the will of God. And Jesus himself received the strength to face the cross when He prayed, ‘Thy will be done, O Lord.’”“But Elder,” Japheth interrupted, “what if I fail? What if I cannot keep the faith?”“Even Job failed for a time,” the elder replied gently. “Fear weakened him, and he was afflicted. But when he repented in dust and ashes, God gave him a double portion of blessing. Son, it is not your strength that keeps you — it is the Holy Spirit of God. Surrender daily; and He will continue to carry you.”Itohan, who had been listening quietly, asked, “So does everyone have access to this power?”“Yes, child,” Elder Osifo said firmly. “Every human being is created to walk in power. The Holy Spirit is given freely. You only need to yield. When you say, ‘Lord, not my will, but Yours be done,’ you open the door for divine strength.”Japheth breathed deeply. For the first time, peace filled his troubled heart.
Reflection Questions (Chapter Two)
1. How did Abraham receive power from God? …………………………………………………………………………………….
2. Why was David able to overcome Goliath? …………………………………………………………………………………….
3. What happened when Job repented in dust and ashes? …………………………………………………………………………………….
4. How can surrendering to God give us strength in times of weakness? …………………………………………………………………………………….
5. What did Jesus teach us about receiving power when facing trials? …………………………………………………………………………………….
Chapter Three
Living in Divine Power
A few months passed; Japheth; who was once timid; now stood boldly before the same group of youths. Elder Osifo encouraged him to share his journey.Japheth began, “Friends, I have learnt that true power is not about muscles or money. It is about surrender. I was once filled with fear, but now I live in peace because I daily invite the Holy Spirit into my heart. I learnt that love conquers all things. Forgiveness frees the soul. Faith moves mountains.”Itohan smiled. “Truly, I have seen a change in you, Japheth. You speak with authority now.”“Yes,” Japheth nodded. “It is because the Spirit of God is my strength. I no longer fight battles alone. When fear comes, I remember that my body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. I choose to yield to Him. That choice makes me powerful.”Elder Osifo concluded, “Children, this is the mystery of divine power. You become powerful when you resolve to do the will of the Holy Spirit. Remember David, Abraham, Paul, Job, and Jesus—they all overcame because they surrendered. The same Spirit that strengthened them is available for you today. Walk in love, forgive freely, live by faith, and you will be truly divine and powerful.”The iroko tree stood tall above them as though nodding in agreement, a silent witness to their new understanding.
Reflection Questions (Chapter Three)
1. What changes took place in Japheth’s life when he yielded to the Holy Spirit? …………………………………………………………………………………….
2. How does forgiveness bring freedom and power to the soul? …………………………………………………………………………………….
3. Why is surrendering to the will of the Holy Spirit described as the secret of power? …………………………………………………………………………………….
4. Mention three biblical examples of people who received power by yielding to God. …………………………………………………………………………………….
5. How can you personally apply the lessons of this chapter in your daily life? …………………………………………………………………………………….
Conclusion Power is not found in wealth, position, or human effort. True divine power flows from surrender to the Holy Spirit. Fear destroys, but faith builds. Forgiveness heals, and love conquers. To be divine and powerful is to live in harmony with the will of God.
Glossary
1. Affliction – A problem, suffering, or trouble in life.
2. Holy Spirit – The Spirit of God who gives strength, guidance, and comfort to believers.
3. Faith – Trusting and believing in God’s promises even without physical evidence.
4. Forgiveness – Choosing to release hurt and not hold wrongs against others.
5. Repentance – Turning away from sin and returning humbly to God.
6. Surrender – Yielding of one’s will completely to God’s will.
7. Divine – Having qualities that come from God.
8. Power – The spiritual strength to overcome fear, sin, and challenges.
9. Temple of the Holy Spirit – The belief that a believer’s body is the dwelling place of God’s Spirit.
10. Love – The ultimate expression of God’s nature, the foundation of all true power.