Page 142 - In Heavenly Places (1967)

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An Audience with the Most High, May 7
For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye
received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as
the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which
effectually worketh also in you that believe.
1 Thessalonians 2:13
.
The Bible is God’s voice speaking to us just as surely as though we
could hear Him with our ears. The word of the living God is not merely
written, but spoken. Do we receive the Bible as the oracle of God? If we
realized the importance of this Word, with what awe would we open it,
and with what earnestness would we search its precepts. The reading and
contemplating of the Scriptures would be regarded as an audience with
the Most High.
God’s Word is a message to us to be obeyed, a volume to be perused
diligently, and with a spirit willing to take in the truths written for the
admonition of those upon whom the ends of the world are come. It must
not be neglected for any other book.... When we open the Bible, let us
compare our lives with its requirements, measuring our character by the
great moral standard of righteousness.
The life of Christ, that gives life to the world, is in His Word. It was
by His word that Jesus healed disease and cast out demons; by His word
He stilled the sea, and raised the dead; and the people bore witness that
His word was with power. He spoke the Word of God, as He had spoken
to all the prophets and teachers of the Old Testament. The whole Bible is
a manifestation of Christ. It is our source of power.
As our physical life is sustained by food, so our spiritual life is sus-
tained by the Word of God.... As we must eat for ourselves in order to
receive nourishment, so we must receive the Word for ourselves. We are
not to obtain it merely through the medium of another mind.
Yes, the Word of God is the bread of life.... It gives immortal vigor
to the soul, perfecting the experience, and bringing joys that will abide
forever.
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