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

For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking
for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people,
zealous of good works (Titus 2:11-14).

God is not a quitter. What He starts out to do, He will accomplish. He is so patient that He continues to work age after age to get His will accomplished. He will not stop until He gets this earth restored to the way it was when He originally made it, until He brings the restitution of all things in the earth.

The perfect will of God is the glorious Church. We are indeed becoming that Church without spot or wrinkle, having been washed by the water of the Word and cleansed before God. When we know the perfect will of God and begin to walk there, all nations will recognize it. When the glory of God is manifested in our midst, the whole world will know it.

God is working toward that end, and you and I are His special people. He is counting on us to keep His Word and obey His voice so He can bring that plan to pass in the earth. We are vital to God’s work. The Church of Jesus Christ holds the future of the world.

The Spirit of God—even though He is here on the earth—is hidden inside you and me. He lives in us, and until we begin to obey God and cooperate with His plan, the Spirit is for the most part hidden to the world. The world sees the Holy Spirit, Jesus the Savior and God the Father through the Church.

“But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit” (1 Corinthians 6:17). We are one spirit with Him—one spirit with the Lord. Verses 19-20 read: “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.”

Gloria Copeland

Through the years, as Ken and I have traveled across the country, we’ve often heard, “Churches are failing. Believers are failing. People who know God’s Word are failing. What’s wrong?”

The answer is simple: God’s people are not walking in obedience. They’re not obeying His Word. They’re not walking in faith and many are ignorant of what His Word says about them. Others are trying to hang on to the world’s way with one hand and the things of God with the other. It’s easy to “talk the talk,” but it takes dedication to “walk the walk.”

God’s deepest desire has always been to fellowship with His children, but He is hindered so often because of our disobedience, just as He was in the Garden of Eden because of Adam’s disobedience.

As the Body of Christ, we have come to a place where we must determine to fellowship with God and obey Him all the time. The laws of the Spirit apply to every aspect of our existence—and when we refuse to be obedient, we shut the door to His blessings in that area. For example, although Jesus already paid the price for our salvation, we couldn’t be born again until we made ourselves obedient to the gospel. We must get serious about our walk with Him and allow God to occupy the number one place in our lives.

You may say, “How can I live for God? There is so much pressure on me. Everyone around me is living the other way. What can I do that’s important to God? I’m just one person.”

Satan knows his days are numbered, so he is doing everything he can to destroy the Church of Jesus Christ. You may only be one person, but every member of the Church of Jesus Christ has a part to play. There are no insignificant members in His Body. The Lord has a work for you to do, a special part for you to play, a place that only you can fill.

If you desire to be part of that glorious Church when Jesus returns, put yourself in agreement with God and obey His Word. Commit to walking with Him.
“How can I do that?” you ask. Well, you can’t, outside the realm of obedience. Amos 3:3 says, “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” You have to be in agreement with God if you want to walk with Him. Learn to agree with His Word. Learn to make His thoughts your thoughts, His ways your ways.

The first step is to find out what God has to say about obedience. The importance of walking in obedience to God is emphasized throughout Scripture. So come before the Word of God as a little child, as though you have never read or heard it before.

Gloria Copeland

Here’s the question: Do you and I want to be a part of that Church badly enough to run the race? Do we want it enough to pray and spend time in the Word instead of doing other things we could be doing—even good things?

I am one of those who love His appearing. I am believing for the Church to rise up and press in the spirit to get the things done that we need to do.

God is on a timetable. He’s never late. And the Church is going to be ready. We’re going to do what we’re called to do.

Individuals may fall out of the race. You and I could fall out if we don’t do the right things, if we don’t do the things we know to do. But the Church is going to finish the race, and it’s going to be on time. I want to be in that group and bring God glory.

The choice is yours. No one else can make it for you. Only you can determine in your heart, “My purpose is that I may know Him and I’m going to press and stretch and run the race He’s called me to run.”

You may think, Well, what can I do? What God’s called me to do couldn’t be that important. It won’t matter to people whether I do it or not. Nobody’s life depends on it.

That’s not true. You can reach people no one else can reach. Noah was just one man. While his neighbors laughed, Noah kept building the ark. Despite the fact that no one had ever seen rain, Noah just kept obeying God.

His name is listed with the great men of faith in Hebrews 11. In fact, every person in Hebrews 11 who obtained a good report did it by faith.

The same chapter says God framed the worlds by faith. You’ll have to walk by faith if you’re going to finish. You’ll have to get your heart and your mouth in line with God’s Word if you’re going to finish what
you’re called to do.

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

There are two very practical ways to give the Word first place in your life.

First, plan your daily schedule around the Word instead of trying to squeeze the Word into your daily schedule. As you mentally plan each day, automatically set aside time to study the Word first.

I know from experience what an impact that can have on your life. More than 20 years ago, I heard a great man of God—Oral Roberts—say that the Lord had instructed him to read the Gospels and the book of Acts three times in 30 days in order to get a greater revelation of Jesus. That inspired me to do the same thing.

I knew the Lord wanted me to begin at once—but it could not have been a more inopportune time.

We had just moved to Tulsa so that Kenneth could attend Oral Roberts University. Everything at our house was still upside down. We hadn’t even finished unpacking.

In addition to all that, I had the children to care for. Both were at demanding ages. Kellie was 3 years old and John was 9 months. When they wanted something, they wouldn’t wait 30 minutes, much less 30 days!

Where will I get the time? I wondered.

Still, I was determined. No matter what it took, I was going to read the Gospels and Acts three times in 30 days.

I figured how many pages I needed to read a day in my Amplified Bible. It came to four hours or more daily. Most of the reading had to be done while the children were asleep, so I set time aside three times a day. Rising at 5:30 a.m., I read until the rest of the family woke up. When the children took their naps in the afternoon, I read again. Then at night, I would finish whatever was left.

Regardless of what happened or what needed to be done, I put God’s Word first. I thought the other things would just have to wait until next month, but God had a pleasant surprise in store for me!

On the very first day, I sat down at 3 o’clock in the afternoon with my day’s work done—and I had already spent several hours in the Word! On the following days, I continued to put God’s Word first. And by the end of the month, I’d painted and antiqued four pieces of furniture from start to finish, done the ironing (which had been accumulating for weeks) and gotten my house in order.

I was amazed. I would never have been able to do that under normal conditions!

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

Jesus taught the disciples about these works
in John 14, talking to them about the Holy Spirit:
“Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and
the Father in me? the words that I speak unto
you I speak not of myself: but the Father that
dwelleth in me, he doeth the works…. 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 14:10, 12).

They were to continue to do the same
works that Jesus Himself had been doing and
it would take the same power and anointing
of the Holy Spirit He had. (See Acts 10:38;
Matthew 3:16-17; John 14:10; Luke 4:18-21;
Acts 5:12-16.)

That power came on the Church on the
Day of Pentecost. The Holy Spirit is still
assigned to the Church today to help us fulfill
our commission. Didn’t Jesus say He would
abide with us forever?

Jesus stated that it was not Him but the
Father in Him who did these works. When
He said, “But ye shall receive power, after that
the Holy Ghost is come upon you…” (Acts
1:8), they knew what He meant!

The Greek word dunamis, translated power,
means “ability and might.” When you receive
the Baptism in the Holy Spirit, you receive the
ability of God to do His work in the earth. The
Spirit within is for fruit bearing—for your own
personal life (Galatians 5:22-23). Jesus talked
about this in John 4:14. He called it: “…a well
of water springing up into everlasting life.” But
the Spirit upon is for service. Jesus talked about
this in John 7:38-39. He described it as “rivers
of living water.” The well is for your own life
and the rivers flowing out of you are for others.

The dictionary says a witness is “evidence
or confirmation.” This power of the Holy Spirit
living in you can transform your life into
evidence to the world that Jesus has been
raised from the dead and is alive today. Jesus
said, “But ye shall receive power, after that the
Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be
witnesses unto me…” (Acts 1:8).

The traditions and doctrines of men have
robbed many believers of this power to be a
witness. The world is not only supposed to
hear words but see proof that Jesus is alive
today. As new converts, we should be taught
to receive the Baptism in the Holy Spirit—
the enduement of this power to reveal Jesus
to lost humanity.

Many believe that He is automatically
received at the time of salvation, and that’s all
there is. It is certainly true that if you are born
again, the Holy Spirit has come to live in you
and endeavors to work in your life. I had been
born again and the Holy Spirit was living inside
me, but the power Jesus spoke of was not evident
in my life until after I received the Baptism in
the Holy Spirit. I wanted to do right, to follow
God and be a strong Christian, but outwardly
I didn’t change much until after I received the
Baptism in the Holy Spirit and began to speak
in other tongues. The combination of the power
of God upon me and the Word of God in my
heart began to change weakness to victory. As
I learned truth from God’s Word and acted on
it, the Spirit of God upon me enabled me to
overcome in my own life and to help others
overcome.

Gloria Copeland