King David sought God with all of His heart through prayer, worship, songs and through day and night meditation on the Word. He expresses his passion for God through Psalms 42:1-2 and Psalms 1:1-3.
“As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God ... “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper (Psalms 1:1-3).”(Psalms 42:1-2).”
Intimacy with God—Coming to Know Him, Our Highest Priority as Christians
“And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom; for Moses had laid his hands upon him: and the children of Israel hearkened unto him, and did as the LORD commanded Moses (Joshua 1:8, Deuteronomy 34:9).” The Spirit of Wisdom was upon Joshua by impartation from Moses but success came to Joshua through “day and night” meditation on Word of God (the book of the Law).
The Lord gave these instructions to Joshua and they are for each of us who have a hearing ear. “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success . . .
Deliverance from Addictions through the Word of God
A high percentage of Christians have ungodly addictions (the bible refers to this also as idolatry), such as pornography, sex, soap operas, drugs, alcohol, gambling, and even work (workaholism). Others are addicted to TV, sports, gossip, worry, complaining, food, and sugar products. These are death and sickness-producing counterfeits of what God desires for our lives.
The Lord wants us to have an addiction, a holy passion, for His Word, combined with obedience and prayer, preferably much of it in tongues. He has instructed us to “meditate day and night” on the Word. This is the key to wisdom, faith, and prosperity in every area of our lives (Joshua 1:8, Psalms 1:1-3). It will help us to live in His Presence. It will free us from all of these negative addictions.
Meditation on the Word Brings Prosperity in Every Area of Our Lives
To meditate on the word means more than to read it or even more than to study it. It means for the Lord and His Word to be on our mind “all the time,” and at the same time. Let’s reduce our TV time greatly and have faith tapes or CD's playing much of the time. Quote faith scriptures throughout the day. We must resist worrying and all negative words. The Lord wants our minds renewed to His way of thinking—to have the “mind of Christ.”
You can begin “Day and Night Meditation” with baby steps. Begin your day with 5 minutes each morning, 3 minutes at lunch time, and 5 minutes at night. Listen to a CD while taking your bath. Pray in tongues for 7 seconds three times a day ... All baby steps. You will be greatly blessed by them and on your way to having a passion for God's word and His Presence.
Kenneth Copeland has this to say about having a passion for the Word, “The more of it you get, the more you want. The Spirit behind the Word, the Holy Spirit, will draw you and lead you closer to Jesus than you ever imagined possible. ... I've never yet met anybody walking in faith and power who at sometime hadn’t developed that kind of addiction by giving themselves totally to the Word for an extended time. I don’t mean just a few minutes here and there either. I’m talking about some serious time.”
Soon after his salvation, Kenneth Copeland purchased virtually all of Kenneth Hagin’s tapes, set up a desk in his garage and for about four weeks he listened to these tapes for 8-12 hours a day. He took notes, and continued to listen and meditate on these teachings. It transformed his life. His wife, Gloria followed his example, reading the bible and listening to tapes throughout the day. It also transformed her life.
Kenneth Copeland continues, “So determine to become a Word addict. Once you do. You’ll never be willing to live without it again. One of the reasons Gloria and I have seen the results we have in our lives and in our ministry is because when we realized what the Word of God would do, we literally immersed ourselves in it. We turned off the radio and television, we put down the newspaper, and spent nearly every waking moment of the time available either reading the Word, listening to tapes on the Word, or thinking about the Word. ...
All that time in the Word eventually had a powerful effect on us. It began to revolutionize everything about us. It began to turn failure into success. ... All that didn’t happen overnight, however. It took time. A great many believers don’t realize that. They start out devoting themselves to the Word, but they make the mistake of expecting instant, miraculous results, and when they don’t see them, they get disappointed and fall away. ... Be patient. Give the Word time to do its work.”
In about 1970, soon after his salvation Jerry Savelle heard Kenneth Copeland's teachings, and for three months gave up his work and listened to 64 teachings of Kenneth Copeland for 8, 10 and sometimes 12 hours a day, also taking extensive notes. It transformed his life. He has a worldwide ministry and has been a main speaker in almost all of Kenneth Copeland's seminars for 30 years now. Dutch Sheets studied the word for about 8 hours a day for one year at the beginning of his ministry. Charles Hunter (Francis' husband) did the same thing. Let's ask the Holy Spirit if we should do the same.
The Glory of Joyful Marriages and Happy Spirit-Filled Children
It is sad to observe in these days divorces, immorality, financial scandals, and backslidden children among even the highest level of spiritual leaders. On the other hand the leaders among the prosperity-faith teachers, who have developed a passion for the Word of God, such as Kenneth Copeland, Jerry Savelle, the late Kenneth Hagin, Rodney Howard-Browne, and Charles Capps, have the Glory of joyful marriages, happy Spirit-filled children, deeper prayer lives, and even healthier bodies!
These Are Scriptural Promises of What a Passion for His Word Will Do for You
“My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh. Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues (successes or defeats) of life (Proverbs 4:20-23).
“According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue. Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, [that through them you might escape] the corruption that is in the world through lust (2 Peter 1:3-4).”
“Oh how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day. Thy commandments make me wiser than mine enemies; For they are ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers: For thy testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the aged, because I have kept thy precepts (Psalms 119:97-100).”
“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17).”
Jesus said, “If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free . . . If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you (John 8:31-32, John 15:7).”
When we meet the conditions of these promises, we can have whatever we desire! Yes, God has prosperity for us in every area of our lives. Let's give God our best in seeking Him through His Word, and in turn He will give us His best.
Here are Some More Life-Changing Promises of God on Which to Meditate
Isaiah 55:11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
2 Corinthians 8:9 ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.
John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
Job 22:28 “Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee: and the light shall shine upon thy ways.”... Decree, declare, and proclaim all of your God-given desires in Jesus Name! Then by faith, keep thanking God for the answer.
Isaiah 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
Jeremiah 30:17 For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the LORD;
Galatians 3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree.
Gal 3:14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
"Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed (I Peter 2:24)
Rev 12:11 And they overcame him by the Blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
Psalms 103:3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
Mat 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Mat 18:19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.
Psalms 34:9 O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.
Psalms 34:10 The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing.
Psalms 37:4 Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
Psalms 37:5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
Psalms 91:2 I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
Psalms 91:7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.
Psalms 91:15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.
2 Corinthians 2:14 Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ
Isaiah 54:17 “No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper . . .”
Luke 10:19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
John 14:12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
John 14:13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
John 14:14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
Eph 3:20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
1 Corinthians 2:9-10 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. ... But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
Proverbs 10:24 The desire of the righteous shall be granted.
John 15:7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you may ask whatever you will, and it will be done for you.
Psalm 84:11 “No good thing will he withhold from those who walk uprightly.”
Proverbs 3:9 Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:
Proverbs 3:10 so shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.
Proverbs 11:24 There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but to tendeth to poverty.
Proverbs 11:25 The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.
Luke 6:38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
Mal 3:10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
Mal 3:11 And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes.
Romans 8:37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
Proverbs 3:6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Proverbs 18:21 “Death and life are in the power of the tongue . . .”
2 Corinthians 9:6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”
Eph 6:8 Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord . . .”
Two Scriptural Prayers that Transformed Kenneth Hagin's Life
I have begun praying them over myself and my loved ones. Instead of “me” and “I” and “my”, we can substitute “us” or “we” or “our.” See Page 1-2. “The Believer’s Authority, by Kenneth E. Hagin.
17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you (me) the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
18 The eyes of your (my) understanding being enlightened; that ye (I) may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
Eph 3:14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
16 That he would grant you (me), according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
17 That Christ may dwell in your (my) hearts by faith; that ye (I), being rooted and grounded in love,
18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye (I) might be filled with all the fullness of God.
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