I recently read a true story about a well-known minister who went to visit a close friend in the hospital after she suffered a severe heart attack. During his visit, he kept a close eye on the patient's heart monitor, which showed that she was resting comfortably. As his friend hovered between life and death, he kept his conversation light and casual. A minute before his time was up, he began quoting some Scriptures to his friend. Immediately, the lines on the patient's heart monitor began to dance wildly, causing the hospital staff to hurry the minister out of the room. A few days later, his friend was released from the hospital, completely healed.

Those heart monitor lines were visible proof that "the word of God is living and active and full of power [making it operative, energizing, and effective]. It is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating as far as the division of the soul and spirit [the completeness of a person], and of both joints and marrow [the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and judging the very thoughts and intentions of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12 AMP) I'm convinced that if believers had a real awareness of just how powerful God's Word is, they would pay more attention to it.

When Joshua was taking over Moses' job, God told him to meditate on His Word day and night. The Lord told Joshua that this was how he would be able to perform the will of God and be prosperous and successful. (Joshua 1:8) And in Proverbs 4:20-22, the Lord says that His Word is life and health to those who pay attention to it. If you are willing to invest some time and energy reading, memorizing, and meditating on the Word of God, you can experience dramatic, positive changes in every area of your life. Let me share with you some simple, but powerful, principles that the Lord has shown me in recent years.

We can honor God by quoting and meditating on His Word three ways: (1) by putting a verse in prayer form, (2) by making it a declaration of faith, and (3) by turning it into an expression of praise. For example, each day I pray, "Lord, order my steps this day," which is based on Psalm 37:23 (KJV). Then throughout the day, I reaffirm God's answer to my prayer for guidance by declaring, "My steps are ordered by the Lord!" If doubt and fear begin to assail me, I encourage myself by praising Him for the answer with, "Thank You, Lord, that my steps are ordered by You!" If I have a need, I claim Philippians 4:19 and quote it according to my specific need. "Thank You, Lord, that You supply all of my job needs!" I have used this verse to seek God for every conceivable need, including financial, healing, material, and social needs. I combine my faith with my declarations, according to Hebrews 4:2, and as a result, rest and peace flood my mind and heart.

God's Word has the ability to build our faith, renew our minds, and change our hearts. If we don't meditate on God's truths day and night, we will be easy targets for Satan's deceptions. Declaring God's Word is not mind over matter - it's truth over error. Jesus used Scripture to defeat Satan when he came to tempt the Savior in the wilderness, and we can do the same thing. (Luke 4:1-12)

Each day of our lives, we have two choices - we can meditate on God's promises, or we can meditate on our problems. Meditating on God's Word can bring peace, joy, life, and health. Meditating on our problems can cause anxiety, fear, despair, and sickness. The Bible tells us to "be imitators of God". (Ephesians 5:1) Do you think God is wringing His hands, wondering what He's going to do about our problems? No way. The Bible says He's "watching over His Word to perform and fulfill it" on our behalf. (Jeremiah 1:12) So let's give Him something to work with. Let's honor our God by letting Him hear His precious Word on our lips day and night, for only then will we be prosperous and successful for His glory!

Prayer: Lord, fill my heart with a growing passion for Your Word. Help me to believe, declare, and act upon it for my good and Your glory. Show me how to apply Your truth to every area of my life. Thank You, Lord, that Your Word is true and You are true to Your Word! (John 17:17; Hebrews 11:11 AMP)

- J. M. Farro