From: Beverly French [frenchb@vcss.k12.ca.us]
Sent: Sunday, May 09, 2004 6:57 AM
To: Heritage
Subject: May 9th Greetings

"Forever, O Lord,
 Thy word is settled in heaven."  Psalm 119:89

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." "And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us..."  John 1: 1 and 14

"...Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you." 1 Peter 1:25

 "You search the Scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is these that bear witness of Me; and you are unwilling to come to Me, that you may have life."  John 5: 39-40

Yes, the Word of God stands firm forever.  Why then are there so many who search the Scriptures yet do not know salvation?  I am speaking here not only of the irreligious but also of those who call themselves religious and are even members of an organized church.  Jesus, Himself, has given us the answer in verse 40 above, '...you are unwilling to come to Me...'

Scripture tells of such:
In the Old Testament we see:
"...For the Lord your God is gracious and compassionate, and will not turn His face away from you if you return to Him.  So the couriers passed from city to city through the country of Ephraim and Manasseh, and as far as Zebulum, but they laughed them to scorn, and mocked them." 2 Chronicles 30: 9-10

"But they continually mocked the messengers of God despised His words and scoffed at His prophets..."  2 Chronicles 36:16

"...So their root will become like rot and their blossom blow away as dust;  For they have rejected the law of the Lord of hosts,  And despised the word of the Holy One of Israel."  Isaiah 5:24

"...Behold the word of the Lord is a reproach to them..."  Jeremiah 6:10

"Yes, they made their hearts like flint, refusing to hear the law and the words which the Lord of hosts had sent by His Spirit through the former prophets..."  Zechariah 7:12

And in the New Testament:
"Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon?  And are not His sisters here with us?  And they were offended at Him."  Mark 6:3

"Then all those in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath, and rose up and thrust Him (Jesus) out of the city...in order to throw Him down the cliff."  Luke 4:28-29

"He (Jesus) came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him."  John 1: 11

"He who rejects Me, and does not receive My sayings, has one who judges him; the word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day."  John 12:48

"But to the wicked God says;
 What right have you to declare My statutes,
 Or take My covenant in your mouth,
 Seeing you hate instruction
And cast My words behind you?"  Psalm 50: 16-17
(That is THE question, how can anyone preach the word of God and reject Christ?  How can anyone believe the Bible and not believe in the One Whom the Bible reveals?)

BUT to those who embrace God's Word:
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes..."  Romans 1: 16

The Scriptures bear witness of Christ!  Therefore, we Believers trust in, rely on and cling to the One Whom the Bible reveals!  The result is life everlasting!  As we rejoice in our life in Christ, let us pray that the Lord will open blind eyes and prepare unbelieving hearts to receive truth and come to repentance and salvation.

May the Lord bless each one this glorious day.