When I present my ministry to churches, I pray that the people will gain a burden for believers around the world who have no or insufficient access to the Word of God. But recently a friend of mine let me watch a video on the internet that helped me to focus my thoughts in the right direction. I’m referring to the “Revival Fire Video” on this website: http://www.plow.org/. I don’t know much about this website, so I am definitely not endorsing it, but the video is well worth watching. It had a very sobering effect upon me and challenged me to have right thoughts about my ministry.
After watching this video and after meditating on some passages in Scripture over the past few weeks, I’ve come to realize that though we ought to have compassion upon those in need, our primarily burden ought to be for God’s glory. Romans 15:25-27 puts everything in right perspective. In missions work, our goal is the “obedience of faith.” And as we strive toward that goal, we are seeking ultimately the glory of God.
So when I think of those who do not have sufficient access to the Word of God, I ought to be burdened because God is not receiving glory through their lives as He should. John 15:7-8 explain that we glorify God when He answers our prayers that issue forth from His words abiding in us and our abiding in Him. If a person doesn’t know God’s Word well, he cannot allow God’s words to abide in him. Consequently, his prayer life suffers, and then his fruitfulness is limited. And as a result, God is not glorified.
Bibles International must get God’s Word into people’s hands in a language that they understand–their heart language–so that God’s words can truly abide in them so that they can experience a fruitful prayer life and thus glorify God. I hope I never lose sight of these truths.
The Lord gave me a good time at Morning Start Baptist Church in Rockford, IL, yesterday. The people showed great interest, and their love offering was very generous. I head to Amboy to be with friends for a few days and then on down to Springfield for a meeting on Wed. Then on to NC. I plan on taking my back brace off later this week. I think my body’s ready for that.
That was quite a moving message at that website. I get that same feeling when I go see the Living Gallery and feel what it must have been like for Christ to die on the cross for me. God used it to help you with your ministry and that is good. Praise Him! It would be awful to not have God’s Word to read and pray through each day. What you and the others are doing at BI is so wonderful and will bring God much glory.
Thank you.