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The word Continued
The word - Success Joshua 1 8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. To take heed to the word and meditate upon it always will result in success and prosperity. It may not be what the world thinks is success and prosperity but it will be genuine and everlasting success and prosperity. A true child of God who loves God with all their heart will never really lack anything important.
Psalms 19 11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward. A great reward awaits those that observe and keep the word of God. The word brings warning, comfort, strength, direction, and many promises given to us by our Lord. Matthew 7 24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. 26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: 27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it. This has been one of my favorite illustrations in the bible about the wise and foolish men. There is a children's song that tells the story in full. The rock represents the word of God and a foundation of truth. The sand represents the neglect of the word or any spiritual truth. Luke 11 28 But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it. Blessed or happy are those who not only hear the word of God but gladly keep it. When we really love the Lord with all our heart and soul, it is actually a joy to read and keep the word of God. We can compare someone who is deeply in love. They would almost do anything to please the person they love. Nothing is too much trouble for the person in love. If we love God like we say we do in our songs, we would not want to sin against him or break his word. John 5 24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. 25 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. Love of the word brings everlasting life. He or she has actually passed from death unto life. John 8 31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. Notice an emphasis here is placed on continuing in the word. We must not only receive the word, live by the word but also continue steadfastly in the word. If we receive the word now and later neglect and depart from it, it will profit nothing and we are in danger becoming under the bondage of sin again. The word of truth makes us free. Sin brings us under bondage. People who think being able to do what they want without restraint is liberty are actually deceiving themselves. They are actually under bondage and slavery. To be truly free is to be walking in the word and obedient to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Take a look at an alcoholic or drug addict. They are under a bondage that is hard to escape. That is a picture of one who is still walking in sin and has not yet come to Jesus Christ for salvation. Without Christ we are under bondage to sin. Christ came that we might be free from sin and have everlasting life. Revelation 1 3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand. There is a special blessing to whoever reads and keeps the word of prophecy written in the book of Revelation. That prophecy is actually the Revelation of Jesus Christ who is the word who was made flesh and lived among us on the earth. Revelation is not a book to avoid. It shows us the results of neglecting Jesus Christ as savior and the rewards of receiving him. It shows us the plans God has made for the final judgment of sin and the reward he has for those who love and receive Jesus Christ as savor from sin.
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