From: Beverly French [frenchb@vcss.k12.ca.us]
Sent: Sunday, February 02, 2003 6:39 AM
To: Heritage
Subject: Greetings of Joy

"Thy Word"

We have seen that God's Word is everlasting, divinely inspired, loved by His people and written on their hearts.  Let us continue our look into the Scriptures to see what they reveal about God's Word.

God's Word is Sacred:
"You shall not add to the word which I am commanding you, nor take away from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you."  Deuteronomy 4:2

"Whatever (everything that) I command you, you shall be careful to do; you shall not add to nor take away from it."  Deuteronomy 12:31

"Every word of God is tested;
 He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.
 Do not add to His words
 Lest He reprove you, and you be proved a liar."  Proverbs 30:5-6

Revelation 22:19 gives a dire warning,
"And if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book."

God's Word is Sure (absolutely trustworthy):
"Blessed be the Lord, who has given rest to His people Israel, according to all that He promised; not one word has failed of all His good promise, which He promised through Moses His servant."  1 Kings 8:56

"The works of His hands are truth and justice;
 All His precepts are sure."  Psalm 111:7

"For I the Lord shall speak, and whatever word I speak will be performed..." Ezekiel 12:25

"For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass away from the Law, until all is accomplished." Matthew 5:18

"Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away." Luke 21: 33

His Word is Written with a Purpose:
The written Word authenticates Christ's divinity as we see in John 20:31, "But these (words) have been written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name." (Read Vs. 30 as well.)

The written Word gives knowledge of eternal life, 1 John 5:13, "These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, in order that you may know that you have eternal life."

God's Word is a Light:
"Thy Word is a lamp to my feet,
 And a light to my path."  Psalm 119:105

"The unfolding of Thy words gives light;
 It gives understanding to the simple."  Psalm 119:130

"For the commandment is a lamp, and the teaching is light;
 And reproofs for discipline are the way of life."  Proverbs 6:23

"And so we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts."  2 Peter l:19

God's Word is Profitable for Instruction and is to be studied: "For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope."  Romans 15:4

Jesus said of His words, "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."  John 8:32

"Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it, for the time near."  Revelation 1:3

This is barely a glimpse of what Scripture says of the Word of God and I encourage you do seek the Holy Spirit for a greater enlightenment.  How blessed we are that God, the Almighty One, desires that we come to know Him intimately!  Let's freely give ourselves up to our loving Lord and Savior who deserves nothing less! I close with the words of the Apostle Paul in Romans 15:5-6, "Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus; that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." Amen!