106. THOUGHTS ON GOD’S WORD 1 Thessalonians 2:13.

The above Scripture reads “When you received God’s Word from us, you realised it was not human words...you accepted it for what it really is – “God’s Word.” The seriousness of those two words should send us into a spin, why? What makes you or I think we are worthy enough to be recipients of a word from Almighty God? Answer, His Gracious, all encompassing love for us. Yes he loves you and me so much that He wants to have regular conversations with us. You may ask “How can I do that?”Just find a quiet place and time, (just as you would if you are going to send someone an email) And the first thing to do is to put in your password. (Jesus) (That’s my pass word, and it can be yours too. I take seriously what Jesus said, “No one comes to the Father except through me.” And that’s why “Jesus” is my Password. Now everything I think and say passes through Jesus And I can be sure, all I pray for will be heard by The Father. Now I am going to give you four Scriptures you must believe about God’s Word, for that very reason. They are in The Bible and the Bible is, “God’s Word.” (1) It is life changing:- In the parable of the sewer, Jesus said, (Luke 8:11) “The seed is the Word of God.” you may not understand the power within a seed, but you know that when you sow it in receptive soil, it will spring to life:; it wont just sit there and do nothing, it will produce fruit. Likewise your Bible contains the Word (seed) of God, which also effectively works in you when you are (receptive soil) (those who believe.) (2) It Works.:- (Isaiah 55:11) “My Word... will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and will achieve the purpose for which I sent it” Note the word ‘sent’ Every word God speaks is on a mission and is guaranteed to accomplish that mission in accordance with His Will, His strategy and His Timing. (3) It’s A Creative Word;- 2 Peter 3:5) “By God’s Word the Heavens came into being and the earth was formed.” God’s Word was powerful enough to create all that exists; He didn’t strive or sweat, He just spoke and it came into being.. So Speak God’s Word. Learn it, trust it, use it. (4) It’s A Word of Authority;- “Luke 4:32,36. “They were astonished at His teachings, for His Word was with authority...they were all amazed… saying ’What a word this is! For with authority and power He commands the unclean spirits, and they come out.” The Forces of darkness around you today must recognise and submit to God’s Word, so stand firmly on it. You have the authority and the Power. In Psalm (119”89) We read, “your word is settled in heaven.” Therefore it should be a settled issue in your life. In (Mark 13:31) Jesus said;- “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will by no means pass away”. The Bible which contains God’s Word, never needs updating, it’s perfect and can never be improved upon: That’s why in (John 15:7) Jesus instructed you and me “Let My Word remain in you” in other words, programme your mind with the Scriptures.. How do you do that? (1) give it permanent residence, not visitor status. (Colossians 3:16) “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly” Take it in richly meaning copiously and abundantly. Call it “Operation Saturation”. Read the Bible meditate on it, speak it out loud. Yes, and even sing its words: “Teach them to each other and even sing them out in Psalms and Hymns and spiritual songs” (2) Keep it before you at all times. (Joshua 1:8) “Keep the book of the law always on your lips: meditate on it day and night...do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” Talk it out, think it out, walk it out. “But” you say “my memory doesn’t retain things too well.” That wont be a problem. Why? Because Jesus Himself said (John.14:26) “The Advocate, The Holy Spirit, whom The Father will send in my name… will remind you of everything I have said to you. “As you meditate on God’s Word The Holy Spirit will come to the aid of your less-than-perfect memory. If you want progress in your Christian walk, Your mind must be governed by The Word of God, not by your impulses, your thoughts or your opinion. Jesus said in (Matthew 7:24) “Therefore, whoever hears these sayings of mine and DOES them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock.” This builder’s foundation withstood life’s storms Now go down to verses (26-27 ) On the other hand, Jesus said “Everyone who hears these words of mine and does NOT do them is foolish and the storms of life will sweep them away”Jesus didn’t condemn the second man, for building an inadequate shelter, or failing to hear, understand and believe His words, but failing to ACT on them. James writes (James 1:22-25) “Obey God’s message, don’t fool yourselves by just listening to it… God will bless you in everything you do if you LISTEN and OBEY and don’t just hear and forget.” If you think, reading, knowing and even believing God’s Word fulfils your obligation to it, you are mistaken. Because it’s God’s Word, and His instructions must be obeyed, that requires not just believing it, but behaving according to it. James didn’t say you will be blessed because of what you believe, but because of what you DO. (Exodus 24:7) When Moses read God’s Word to the Israelites they said “All that The Lord has said we will DO and be OBEDIENT.” And that must be our rule too. Thank you for reading these thoughts on The Word of God. In the world today, there are not too many people whose word we can truly believe, trust and rely on, but to have the privilege of knowing Jesus Christ The Son of God, who said “I am THE WAY, I am THE TRUTH, I am THE LIFE” brings a tremendous blessing. So hang on to Him and follow His footsteps wherever they may take you to know, understand and DO His Word. God Bless us all as we follow His footsteps and Word. Phaline.