Whenever we do read or study the Holy Scriptures as believers in Christ Jesus, we need to understand that we are practicing the presence of God. God’s Word is the voice of God, directly speaking into our hearts.
Every time we do read or study the Bible, we are actually in the spirit. God’s voice comes to us through His written Word.
Just as praise and worship, prayer and intercession gets us into the presence of God; reading and studying the Holy scriptures does the same also to us. We are able to perceive the leading and guidance of God for our lives through His Word.
But it is actually the Holy Spirit living in us, who helps us into the spiritual perception about what we are reading or studying. He illuminates our hearts with the truth from God through His Word; thereby enabling us to take action on the revealed truth, that we are able to perceive or receive as we read or study scriptures.
Jesus once said:
“But the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will cause you to recall (will remind you of, bring to your remembrance) everything I have told you.”
John 14:26 AMPC:
It is the Holy Spirit who works in us, helping us to perceive the will of God, as we are reading or studying the Bible. He also helps in bringing to our remembrance, what we had read or studied before in the scriptures.
He does this by bringing out the spiritual truth, from the wealth of wisdom in the scriptures, which had already been deposited inside our hearts; so that we may be able to make the right choices in life. It is always up to us in such moments, to either yield to the leading of the Holy Spirit or not to yield to Him.
There are some Christians who do not often yield to the leading of the Holy Spirit, because of their reliance on the religious traditions of men; rather than on the truth from the Word of God, in leading and guiding them into spiritual truth. Such people will often reject the leading of the Holy Spirit, in order to embrace the religious traditions of men. To them it is an act of religious extremism, to follow the prompting of the Holy Spirit in their inner man.
What the social or traditional religious world teaches them, is more important to them than what the Word of God, or the Holy Spirit may be saying to them.
Samuel had the same problem, when God spoke to him for the first time in his life (1 Samuel 3:1-15). He struggled with the religious tradition and belief system in Israel during his time, which says that God could only speak through the high priest.
There are many believers today, who are living their Christian lives with this same false illusion that, God can only speak to them through the spiritual leadership, that they are in submission to. But the truth is that God is a loving Father, who always takes delight in speaking and fellowshipping with everyone of His children. He can speak to anyone over our lives, just as He speaks to us individually also. We do not need to be living in terrifying fear or dread of God, because we heard His voice or the prompting of His Holy Spirit in our hearts, to do or say anything at anytime to anyone. Do not let the world or the enemy silence the voice of God in you.
Jesus also said about the workings of the Holy Spirit in us:
“And when He comes, He will convict and convince the world and bring demonstration to it about sin and about righteousness (uprightness of heart and right standing with God) and about judgment:”
John 16:8 AMPC
When we are reading or studying the scriptures, the Holy Spirit probes our hearts. He searches through the depth of our hearts, to expose our real self to us. He convicts and convinces us of sin and righteousness. He shows us God’s way for us to follow Him. We are able to perceive His way of righteousness in this manner.
The Holy Spirit also shows and demonstrates to us, the workings of sin and righteousness in our world. He does this so that we will have to make the choices, to either follow after sin or to follow after righteousness. And when we do reject the inner witness within us, through that prompting of the Holy Spirit, we are rejecting God’s presence in guiding and leading us.
JOSHUA LEARNT TO PERCEIVE THE WAY TO SUCCESS AND PROSPERITY
The scriptures shows us that Joshua learnt this from the very beginning of his call by God, in leading God’s people into the promised land. He was told by God, how he could perceive the pathway into success and prosperity. The Lord told him:
“This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.”
Joshua 1:8 NKJV
Joshua learnt directly from the presence of God, that there was no other way for success and prosperity to come into His life, apart from his ability to read, study and meditate on God’s Word.
Is it not amazing that God never told him, to follow a six steps guide to success and prosperity in life? God did not tell him to go for a leadership or Church program, before he could be successful in fulfilling the calling that he had just received. He was not told to do internship with some churches, preachers or ministries somewhere. No, God told him to meditate on His word day and night.
God’s Word was meant to be an everyday business in the life of Joshua. When we get serious with the reading, or studying of God’s Word, as we meditate on it daily; God will get serious with us also.
Joshua knew that he had to discipline himself in life, to be able to do this. In order to be able to meditate on the Word of God day and night, we do need spiritual discipline. This type of discipline requires total separation, from the world of religious tradition, into a total and complete spiritual devotion to God. It means that some things in our lives has to go away, if we want what we are meditating on daily, to really impact our lives and our world.
This is serious because God is the one, who is personally instructing us one on one, day and night on the pathway to follow in being successful and prosperous as we do this. It means that we must stop copying other people’s vision, or pathway to success and prosperity in life; which were never specifically designed by God for us to follow.
We individually need to get our original blueprint into success and prosperity directly from God. God has a vision and a pathway in fulfilling the vision, for everyone of His children (Jeremiah 29:11). You must discover your own and follow it with unyielding passion. Joshua discovered his own and was able to follow it with a passion, in leading the people of Israel into the land of promise.
Even though Joshua was nurtured and tutored by Moses; but there were clear differences in both of their leadership styles and personalities. They both followed God’s plans and visions to them, which were also in the totality and completion of God’s perfect and eternal plan of salvation for Israel; but with different styles. Every one of us does have a vision, and a plan from God to save the world. But because we are different individuals, there are unique characteristics in our personalities that God is using to get this mission on earth completed. Are you following your own with a passion? We shall all have to give an account before Him one day in heaven, about what we did with our “talents”. As we get into His Word day and night, God will give us the blueprint that He wants us to follow.
Joshua in following the vision and plan for him, was never told to meditate on God’s Word only when he had the time, or when he was in trouble. He was never told to meditate on the promises of God, only when he felt led on the inside to meditate on them. Meditating on the word of God had nothing to do with convenience for Joshua. He knew that this was the only way to success and prosperity. And he made himself available in making sacrifices to make it happen.
In most cases we must realize that, we can be led by the Holy Spirit at all times, to participate in spiritual activities that leads us into God’s presence. It is a conscious and decisive action of faith, that we take to seek God’s presence in our lives daily. It was a day and night business for Joshua. Twice a day He meditated on the Word of God or the Torah, as written down for the Israelites by God and Moses.
When we read, study and meditate on God’s Word, spiritual wisdom is imparted into our lives. Spiritual wisdom comes through spiritual meditation.
If we are not ready to meditate on the promises of God, for our lives into financial prosperity (as an example); we will never have the financial wisdom from God to prosper in finances. And the financial wisdom that God gives to one individual, may be different from the financial wisdom that He will give to others. But it is the same God who works in us all, in bringing us into following His pathway.
That’s why we don’t have any business trying to copy other people’s blueprint from God. We must go directly to God, and get our own directly from Him. He is the Father of us all, but He does has different pathway into success and prosperity for each one of us. He wants to help you and deliver you from financial bondage. Are you listening to Him?
The problem with many in financial difficulties today is that, they are not taking time out to practice God’s presence, through meditation on His promises to them day and night. They are too busy trying to follow other people’s wisdom, instead of listening to the voice of God on their inner man, to lead and guide them out of their financial situations.
Spiritual meditation is only possible as we learn to wait on the Lord in His presence. Waiting on the Lord is a habit that has to be cultivated by faith. If we really want to perceive spiritual truth, we need to cultivate the habit of waiting on the Lord, as we meditate on His promises to us day and night.
Paul told Timothy:
“No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules. The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.”
2 Timothy 2:4-7 NIV
When we get serious about God’s and His Word, He will get serious on our own case as well. Success and prosperity in life does not come easily. We have to pay the price for it – every day and night by meditating on God’s word. Every day and every night God will speak and minister to you, as you take time out for meditation on His promises to you. And each day and night may be different; but as we obey Him each time, our pathway into success and prosperity becomes clearer and clearer to us on the inner man. We will be able to perceive His pathway for us.
That means a pastor will not be chasing a lost sheep about, like one chasing a wild goose every where around town. No, you really do not have time for all of that. The only thing that God called every Minister of the gospel to do, is to walk in obedience before Him day and night. We are able to do this, if only we are taking the time out to follow what we are perceiving through His Word. We have to follow His commands to us day and night. This is the pathway to success and prosperity.
And it is not difficult at all, if only we really put our hearts into it. You see, putting the Word of God in our hearts, produces the spiritual result that our born again spirit man always desires. We are able to perceive God’s pathway into success and prosperity – spirit, soul and body. God’s word is not only food to the heart, mind and body. It also shows us the pathway into success and prosperity.
GOD’S WORD HELPS US TO FOLLOW RIGHTEOUSNESS
His Word also directs us in the pathway of righteousness, so that you will never be defeated with the Devil’s temptations.
David said:
“Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.”
Psalms 119:11 NKJV
Sin flees away from the heart that is rooted and grounded in God’s Word. And by meditating on it day and night, we will always discover God’s pathway out of every temptation.
The word of God in our heart brings the presence of God to us. God points us in the right way of life, as we meditate on His Word daily. He directs our pathway as we follow His Word in leading us into His presence and from His presence.
The writer of the book of Hebrews talked, about the workings of God’s word inside our spirit man. He said:
“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
Hebrews 4:12 NIV
According to the writer, the word of God separates our soulish or mental thoughts, from the thoughts in our spirit man. God’s word on the inside of our spirit man, is a powerful contributing factor to how we perceive different situations around us. How often we do meditate on God’s Word, affects our spiritual perception of the world around us.
Our spiritual perception affects our physical reaction to situations around us as Christians. It affects (as an example) the way that we do perceive healing, financial prosperity, progress and growth in ministry, family and marital lives. God’s Word affects our spiritual perception of the world that we do live in, and the people around us.
As another example God cannot do anything beyond, our capabilities to receiving healing or blessing from Him. But He will always work with the ability, in us to receive healing from Him. He will never turn away from us.
There are those who do believe, that God can only work through medical doctors to heal them. While others are able to activate their faith, to receive healing immediately after they perceived the will of God about healing. One makes the effort to meditate on healing day and night, by looking at and activating his faith in the promises of God. He gets healed and is able to stay healthy by doing this day and night.
The other person believes that God will use medical doctors to heal him. Every one does has a measure of faith. But God will always honor our different levels of faith, in giving us what we want.
The first individual through meditation on God’s Word received healing, and does not have to worry about medical bills. The second person does not have the time, for meditating on the promises of God day and night; but he sure will not mind struggling to pay the price financially, in getting healed and staying healthy. The truth is that God loves both of them equally, and He will always give them what they both want “according to their faith”.
According to Hebrews 12:4, God’s word penetrates into our bone marrow, quickening us to respond in accordance with the word of God inside the heart. Our response to the spiritual truth around us, is based on our ability to be able to perceive the will of God in this spiritual truth.
Our perception of the will of God about spiritual truth, can help us in receiving the blessings of God for anything in life. We can also deny ourselves of such a blessing, based upon our spiritual perception. It is completely up to us.
But the word of God according to the writer of the book of Hebrews, affects the “attitudes of the heart”. Our attitudes are always based on our perception of the world, in which we live as believers in Christ Jesus.
By renewing our mind with the word of God, we are able to cultivate the right attitude towards God’s kingdom in our hearts. This is very important because faith is of the heart. The attitude of our hearts affects the way we perceive our world in order to bring changes into it.
In having the right attitude, our ability to meditate on the Word of God, and what our spirit man is perceiving in our world, is very important for us to cultivate the mind of Christ on the inner man, to change our world for Jesus.
Don’t just be reading and studying the scriptures. Take time out on a regular basis to meditate, on what the Holy Spirit is leading you to perceive and see in the spirit.
The more we meditate on these spiritual truths, the more easier it becomes for us to put them into practice.
Spiritual perception evolves into spiritual principles of life. We are able to put practical steps in place, for us and others to follow as we take time out for meditation.
As an example, Isaac was in need of spiritual help after the death of Sarah (his mother). He needed to be focused in following God’s plan for his life. At that time after Sarah’s death, he was no more living with Abraham. This was due to the fact that, Abraham had taken Keturah as wife (Genesis 25:1), so as to comfort himself after the death of Sarah. Isaac did not need to be in the mix of the changes in his father’s life. He needed to focus on the vision that God had for him. He needed to discover God’s pathway into it. He moved away from his father to live in the Negev.
One of the things that made him strong on the inner man, was his habit of meditation. The scriptures says:
“Now Isaac had come from Beer Lahai Roi, for he was living in the Negev. He went out to the field one evening to meditate, and as he looked up, he saw camels approaching.”
Genesis 24:62-63 NIV
Isaac was in the habit of meditating, so as to focus on the future, which he was perceiving for himself on the inner man.
God told Joshua to cultivate that same habit also, if he was ever going to be able to fulfill the vision, that he perceived inside his spirit as a young man. God told him:
““Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.””
Joshua 1:7-9 NIV
Joshua needed to be strong against the evil forces, that were working against that vision inside him. If you as a Christian are perceiving God to do something in your life, and you are not encouraging yourself to be strong, by meditating regularly on those things day and night, very soon the enemy will steal that vision away from you.
That’s why Paul told us the same thing that God told Joshua. He said:
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.”
Ephesians 6:10 NIV
How else can we be strong in spiritual perception, if we are not meditating on God’s promises to us day and night.
Paul gave us details on how to get serious, like a spiritual warrior getting into the battle front against the Devil. He said:
“Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.”
Ephesians 6:11-18 NIV
This has nothing to do with attending Sunday school or going to a Bible School. There are so many Christians who have so many college degrees and certificates; but are doing nothing in the Kingdom with them. Paul is talking here about the things that, we need to do practically in being successful and prosperous in life and ministry.
When we are meditating on the Word of God, the Holy Spirit is involved with us in this. He ministers to us and we do have plenty opportunities while doing this to minister back to Him. As we are reading and studying scriptures day and night, we will have to take time out to pray in the spirit, about what we are reading and studying. Our spiritual perception is sharpened at these moments. If we make sacrifices to spend time with God, through meditation and praying in the spirit on a regular basis; God will spend time with us also. He will make sure that we are never failures in life. You will be a success and become prosperous in everything that you purpose to do in life.
