Greetings!
How close to God do you think you
could get if you did not have a Bible or any portion
of the Bible?
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Serious Means Getting Strategic
Priority Sending
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According to the Ethnologue, 15th edition (Dallas:
SIL International, 2005), there are an estimated 6,912
living languages in the world today. Of these,
approximately 2,200 languages do not have any
portion of the Bible. These 2,200 languages
represent approximately 200 million lost people.
And to make it more difficult, some of these do
not even have a written language. This means
that a missionary is needed, not only to go and learn the
language, but also to develop an alphabet and a grammar. He
then must teach literacy and begin to translate the books of
the Bible. This is a ton of tedious labor; it's a lifework -
needed in some 2,200 languages on our planet!
Among those of us who have the right doctrine and do things
right, how many of us are working on one of these 2,200
languages? Most of us believe that it's not possible to
plant an indigenous church without giving the people the
Word of God in their mother tongue (the language they
learned at their mother's knees). And I think we all
believe that God intends for every people to have His Word
in their heart language or mother tongue. This is the
precedent which He established at Pentecost (Acts 2:6-8).
If these things are true, we need a new strategy.
Most of us are sending missionaries to where missionaries
already are (and have been for decades if not centuries).
I'm not criticizing anyone who is preaching the gospel. I
am thankful for all of these missionaries regardless of
where they serve (Philippians 1:15-18). But shouldn't we
have a place in our strategy, policy, and budget for
missionaries who are willing to go where missionaries aren't
and where people don't have any portion of the Bible? After
all, how close to God can people get who have no portion of
the Bible? Not very close.
The
Scriptures tell us what happens among those who get God's
word. "All the kings of the earth shall praise thee, O
LORD, when they hear the words of thy mouth
(emphasis mine). Yea, they shall sing in the ways of the
LORD: for great is the glory of the LORD" (Psalm 138:4-5).
Some 200 million lost people in 2,200 languages can't
hear the words of God (or read them) because we haven't
decided to deliver them. Let's change that and make this
needed, important-to-God work a priority in our
missions strategy because great is the glory of the LORD!
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God's Will
Six Steps to Help You Know
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Most people want someone else to tell them what God's will is
for their lives. If anybody ever agrees to do this, don't
listen to them. They don't know. There are no shortcuts to
God's will. Obviously, it's not God's will for any Christian
to disobey God's Word. Since our direction comes from God,
we need to get close to Him and just listen.
Someone has said, "The secret of guidance is the Guide
Himself." Intimacy with Christ is the most important step to
knowing God's will. We stay close to God by consistently
killing the sin that tries to crop up in our lives and by
seeking God through Bible study, prayer, and obedience to His
revealed will. The remaining steps are not necessarily listed
in order of importance; however, they are certainly part of
the process.
One must surrender unconditionally (Acts 9:6). God
doesn't reveal His will to people who are merely curious.
Jesus said that the people who do His will, will know His
will (John 7:17). It is tantamount to coming to the table
with God; signing your name at the bottom of the blank page;
and then sliding the signed paper across the table to God
saying, "I'm in for the long haul no matter what. You fill
in the job description. Whatever it is, I'll do it!"
Start thinking; use your head. Think about what God has
done in your life; what He's been showing you; the
experiences that He's given you; how He's made you (desires,
strengths, etc) and what needs to be done in the world.
Remember, God won't bless your ignorance - no matter how
much you dedicate it (Psalm 32:8-9).
Practice believing prayer (Proverbs 3:5; James 1:5-6). If
we gather and evaluate facts prayerfully and in the light of
the principles of God's Word, God will help us interpret
those facts correctly to make good decisions.
Listen to other believers (pastor, other church leaders, and
faithful, committed Christians). Sometimes, others may not
know what we should do, but they may know what we aren't cut
out for. Often what is unclear to the seeker, may be
obvious to the counselor, leader, or friend. They may
clearly see our gifts and talents in a way that is hidden
from us; but usually, there is a consensus among those who
give us feedback in these areas.
Decide and step out. Often, God doesn't give us more light
or direction until we take a step of faith in the direction
He's leading us. We are frequently fearful of what is in
store for us and the potential for failure. But we must
fight this, as Paul admonished Timothy (2 Timothy 1:6-7),
because at the root of this fear is lack of confidence in
God's love and faithfulness. He has promised to be WITH us
(Matthew 28:20).
Better than an earthly father, our Lord will lovingly help
keep us on the path He has chosen for us as we listen to
His voice.
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Biblical School of World Evangelism
1367 Woodville Pike
Milford, OH 45150
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Victory Strategy |
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The Apostle John cites three keys for victory over the devil
in Revelation chapter twelve.
"And they overcame him [the devil] by the blood of the Lamb,
and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their
lives unto the death" Revelation 12:11.
These overcame the devil because they were....
- Dependent on God (by the blood of the Lamb)
- Obedient to the Word (by the word of their testimony)
- Hating their lives and holding heaven in high esteem
(they loved not their lives unto the death)
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World Statistic |
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There are 20 to 40
million blind people
in the world.
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