God said if they would obey His voice, they would be His peculiar treasure in the earth—a nation set apart from all others, set on high above all the earth. God wanted Israel to be a nation of priests unto Him. He wanted to set them apart, so He could come into their midst and live among them. They were to be His special treasure.

You can see throughout the history of the nation of Israel that when Israel served Him with their whole heart—in obedience—He was wholly and totally God to them. He performed in their lives, whether it was with signs and wonders, with miracles, or whether it was with His angels going before them in battle. Whatever it took, when they served Him with their whole heart, He was there with His whole heart.

But when they were disobedient and didn’t serve Him at all, He did not work in their lives.

Moses later said to the nation of Israel:

Behold, I have taught you statutes and ordinances as the Lord my God commanded me, that you should do them in the land which you are entering to possess. So keep them and do them; for that is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples, who, when they hear all these statutes, will say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people (Deuteronomy 4:5-6, The Amplified Bible).

What was to make them a great nation, a wise and understanding people? Keeping God’s Word—His ordinances and statutes.

It was keeping God’s Word, His wisdom and understanding, that set Israel apart from other nations, showing them how to be the special people of God—a peculiar treasure. In Exodus 19:5 He said to Moses about Israel, “Now therefore, if you will obey My voice in truth and keep My covenant, then you shall be My own peculiar possession and treasure from among and above all peoples; for all the earth is Mine” (The Amplified Bible).

Later, in Deuteronomy 4:10, Moses said, “…the Lord said unto me, Gather me the people together, and I will make them hear my words, that they may learn to fear me all the days that they shall live upon the earth, and that they may teach their children.”

When God said He wanted His people to fear Him, He did not mean for them to be afraid. He wanted them to have reverence and respect for Him, so they would be obedient to His Word. He did not want them to keep His Word just so He could have slaves. He knew that the only way they could be kept free from the curse on the earth was by obeying His Word.

Gloria Copeland

Putting the Word first is something you’ll have to do continually. When you get bogged down in the details of living, when you find yourself frustrated by failures big and small, check the amount of time you’re spending in the Word. You’ll find that you’ve let the Word slip into second place and spent your Word time on other things.

That’s what happened to Martha. Jesus Himself was in her living room teaching the Word. But she didn’t think she had time to listen. She was too busy cooking dinner for Him. I’m sure it seemed like the only proper thing for her to do. After all, Jesus and His ministry team were staying in her home. Let’s read that passage.

Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her (Luke 10:38-42).

I can just see Martha stewing around the kitchen, banging pots and pans feeling sorry for herself. She wanted Jesus to rebuke Mary, but instead the Master was pleased that Mary had put His Word first.

Martha could have been at the Master’s feet too, if she’d made up her mind to be. Jesus had fed thousands with a few loaves and fish. He could have just as easily prepared a banquet for all those present that day!

You may think, What an opportunity Martha wasted! I would never do that. But every time you allow things to swallow up your time in the Word, you’re passing up the opportunity to sit at the Master’s feet, just as she did.

In addition to building your schedule around the Word of God, there’s a second way to give the Word priority in your life: by acting on it!

Simply acquiring knowledge of the Word isn’t enough. You’re going to have to put that knowledge to work in your life before it’s going to bring results. I can sit around knowing how to turn on a light all night long, but until I apply that knowledge by getting up and flipping the switch, I’ll be in the dark.

The Word of God works the same way. So as soon as you learn something from it, take action. Do it!

Then, as you see the wisdom of the Word produce results in your life, you’ll begin to esteem and prize wisdom above all that you may desire in life (Proverbs 3:15). And as you put the Word first and exalt it in your life, the Word will exalt and promote you.

Start today. Spend some quality time in God’s Word. Make that the first and most important item on your agenda. Your daily activities will go more smoothly. And as you continually apply the wisdom you glean from God’s Word, you’ll find yourself moving ahead daily in every area of life. “This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe and do according to all that is written in it; for then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall deal wisely and have good success” (Joshua 1:8, amp). Good success belongs to you.

Gloria Copeland

Back then, Kenneth and I knew very little about how to live by faith. I didn’t know that the Word makes your way prosperous and causes good success (Joshua 1:8, amp). I didn’t know that if you put God’s wisdom first, it would exalt and promote you.

But I experienced a miracle of God just the same. By faith, I had put His Word first, and He caused Proverbs 4:7-8 to come to pass in my life.

He’ll do the same for you! Whether you’re a housewife, a mechanic or an executive, once you commit yourself to making God’s Word your first priority, you’ll begin to prosper in everything you do.

But let me warn you, you’ll never get around to the Word if you wait until you have time. Satan will see to it that you never have the time. He is vehemently opposed to your feeding on God’s Word.

So learn to set aside less important things. Start giving the Word first place in your schedule and everything else will fall in line. Jesus knew that. That’s why He said, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33).

Guard your time in the Word. Satan will steal it from you if he can. He’ll use everything from television to church activities to lure you away from God’s wisdom.

Why? Because he knows that the Word makes you free from his dominion! If he can keep you out of the Word, he can keep you bound and struggling.

Gloria Copeland

“Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her.” — Proverbs 4:7-8

From this moment on, I want you to stop thinking of the Bible as a storybook. I want you to stop thinking of it as a religious textbook. I want you to stop thinking of it as a history book. I want you to start thinking of it as a handbook for living.

That’s what it is, you know. It’s the wisdom of Almighty God written down for you so you can apply it to your life and circumstances.

Consistently read and applied, the Bible will turn you into a winner. Not just now and then. Not just here and there. But every day in every single area of your life!

Does that sound too good to be true?

Then don’t take my word for it. Let the Lord speak for Himself. In Proverbs 4:7-8, He says, “For skillful and godly Wisdom is the principal thing…Prize Wisdom highly and exalt her, and she will exalt and promote you; she will bring you to honor when you embrace her” (AMP).

Be advised, though, this promise isn’t meant for those who want to dab a little of the Word on their lives now and then when they get in a scrape. It’s talking about those who are willing to put the Word of God first place in their lives day after day after day!

Look again at the first part of that scripture. “Skillful and godly Wisdom is the principal thing.” Principal means “first in importance.” According to that verse, you’re going to have to make God’s Word the most important thing in your life. Instead of being content with an occasional scanning of the Bible, you’re going to have to develop a passion for it. You’ll have to prize the Word highly, putting it before all your other activities.

When you do that, God promises that the Word will exalt and promote you and bring you to honor. Who could ask for anything more?

Gloria Copeland

“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” (1 Corinthians 2:9-10).

Who can know what is on the inside of
man except the man’s own spirit, and who can
know what is on the inside of God except the
Spirit of God (verse 11)? The Spirit of God
living within your spirit can reveal to you the
inside of God—the heart of the Father. It is
difficult to grasp that the Holy Spirit, who
knows all the deep things of God, desires to
come and live in you in order to teach you the
profound and unsearchable wisdom of God.
Yet, it is true.

No man knows the things of God because
they are spiritually discerned (1 Corinthians
2:14). “But God hath revealed them unto us
by His Spirit” (verse 10). These deep things of
God can enter into the heart of man only by
the Spirit of God.

God’s Word must be revealed to you by
His Spirit before you can walk in it. Your
spirit alone cannot comprehend or see into
these deep things, but Jesus said that the
Holy Spirit would teach you all things
( John 14:26). He told the disciples, “I have
yet many things to say unto you, but ye
cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he,
the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide
you into all truth: for he shall not speak of
himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that
shall he speak: and he will show you things
to come” ( John 16:12-13).

Do you remember that Jesus told the
disciples the Holy Spirit was with them, but
would soon be in them? He told them He
had many things to say to them that they
could not bear or grasp at that time, but when
the Spirit of truth came, He would open all
things to their understanding. Without the
Holy Spirit living in their spirits to reveal the
truth to them, even Jesus could not teach the
disciples anything more. They were limited in
their ability to understand spiritual things.

Jesus was telling them that there would
be no limit to spiritual knowledge when the
Holy Spirit came. He said the Holy Spirit
would show them all things that the Father
has—even things to come.

Now can you see the limitless knowledge
and understanding available to Spirit-filled
believers? The Holy Spirit has been given to
teach you how to be a success in this life. In
the light of these truths from the Word of
God, it is unthinkable for anyone to refuse
God’s offer of His Spirit.

Gloria Copeland

Titus 2:3-5

KJV—The aged women likewise, that they
be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not
false accusers, not given to much wine,
teachers of good things; that they may
teach the young women to be sober, to
love their husbands, to love their children,
to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home,
good, obedient to their own husbands,
that the word of God be not blasphemed.

NIV—Likewise, teach the older women
to be reverent in the way they live, not to
be slanderers or addicted to much wine,
but to teach what is good. Then they can
train the younger women to love their husbands
and children, to be self-controlled
and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind,
and to be subject to their husbands, so
that no one will malign the word of God.

Amp—Bid the older women similarly to
be reverent and devout in their deportment,
as becomes those engaged in sacred
service, not slanderers or slaves to drink.
They are to give good counsel and be
teachers of what is right and noble, so that
they will wisely train the young women to
be sane and sober-minded—temperate,
disciplined—and to love their husbands
and their children; to be self-controlled,
chaste, homemakers, good-natured (kindhearted),
adapting and subordinating
themselves to their husbands, that the
word of God may not be exposed to reproach—
blasphemed or discredited.

Genesis 18:14

KJV—Is any thing too hard for the Lord?
At the time appointed I will return unto
thee, according to the time of life, and
Sarah shall have a son.

Amp—Is anything too hard or too wonderful
for the Lord? At the appointed time,
when the season [for her delivery] comes
around, I will return to you and Sarah
shall have borne a son.

Exodus 23:26

NKJV—No one shall suffer miscarriage
or be barren in your land; I will fulfill the
number of your days.

NIV—None will miscarry or be barren in
your land. I will give you a full life span.

Amp—None shall lose her young by miscarriage
or be barren in your land; I will fulfill
the number of your days.

Deuteronomy 7:13-14

KJV—And he will love thee, and bless
thee, and multiply thee: he will also bless
the fruit of thy womb…. Thou shalt be
blessed above all people: there shall not
be male or female barren among you, or
among your cattle.

NKJV—And He will love you and bless
you and multiply you; He will also bless
the fruit of your womb…. You shall be
blessed above all peoples; there shall not
be a male or female barren among you or
among your livestock.

NIV—He will love you and bless you and
increase your numbers. He will bless the
fruit of your womb…. You will be blessed
more than any other people; none of your
men or women will be childless, nor any
of your livestock without young.

Deuteronomy 28:11

KJV—And the Lord shall make thee plenteous
in goods, in the fruit of thy body,
and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the
fruit of thy ground, in the land which the
Lord sware unto thy fathers to give thee.

NKJV—And the Lord will grant you
plenty of goods, in the fruit of your body,
in the increase of your livestock, and in
the produce of your ground, in the land
of which the Lord swore to your fathers to
give you.

NIV—The Lord will grant you abundant
prosperity—in the fruit of your womb, the
young of your livestock and the crops of
your ground—in the land he swore to your
forefathers to give you.

Gloria Copeland

Proverbs 11:16

KJV—A gracious woman retaineth honour:
and strong men retain riches.

NIV—A kindhearted woman gains respect,
but ruthless men gain only wealth.

Amp—A gracious and good woman wins
honor [for her husband], and violent men
win riches; [but a woman who hates righteousness
is a throne of dishonor for him].

Proverbs 12:4

KJV—A virtuous woman is a crown to her
husband: but she that maketh ashamed is
as rottenness in his bones.

NKJV—An excellent wife is the crown of
her husband, but she who causes shame
is like rottenness in his bones.

NIV—A wife of noble character is her
husband’s crown, but a disgraceful wife is
like decay in his bones.

Amp—A virtuous and worthy wife—earnest
and strong in character—is a crowning
joy to her husband, but she who makes
ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.

Proverbs 14:1

KJV—Every wise woman buildeth her
house: but the foolish plucketh it down
with her hands.

NIV—The wise woman builds her house,
but with her own hands the foolish one
tears hers down.

Amp—Every wise woman builds her
house, but the foolish one tears it down
with her own hands.

1 Corinthians 7:3

NKJV—Let the husband render to his
wife the affection due her, and likewise
also the wife to her husband.

Amp—The husband should give to his
wife her conjugal rights—goodwill, kindness
and what is due her as his wife; and
likewise the wife to her husband.

Ephesians 5:22-24

KJV—Wives, submit yourselves unto
your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For
the husband is the head of the wife, even
as Christ is the head of the church: and
he is the saviour of the body. Therefore
as the church is subject unto Christ, so
let the wives be to their own husbands in
every thing.

NIV—Wives, submit to your husbands as
to the Lord. For the husband is the head
of the wife as Christ is the head of the
church, his body, of which he is the Savior.
Now as the church submits to Christ, so
also wives should submit to their husbands
in everything.

Weymouth—Married women, submit to
your own husbands as if to the Lord; because
a husband is the head of his wife,
as Christ also is the head of the church,
Himself the savior of the Body. And just as
the church submits to Christ, so also married
women should be entirely submissive
to their husbands.

Ephesians 5:33

KJV—The wife see that she reverence her
husband.

NIV—The wife must respect her husband.

Amp—Let the wife see that she respects
and reverences her husband—that she
notices him, regards him, honors him,
prefers him, venerates and esteems him;
and that she defers to him, praises him,
and loves and admires him exceedingly.

Weymouth—Let a married woman see to
it that she treats her husband with respect.

Gloria Copeland