Many Bible translation projects focus on the needs of very small people groups. Some of these minority languages have only a few thousand speakers. Is it right to invest so much in a major project like Bible translation for so few people?
Earlier this week my family and the Sowers Harvest Cafe team had a bunch of our student friends here for a backyard dinner party around the campfire.
Over 1,600 people groups sit in darkness with no Scripture in their heart language. All-Nations Bible Translation (ABT) is an organization that is passionate about putting God’s written word into the hands of every nation on earth.
The official number of languages needing Bible translation just went up—not down! The new statistics were released just over two months ago. I noticed because I was watching, and because it was so opposite of what we had seen in the past.
The church’s place in going is to send. When someone has a vision to go, it is the church’s privilege to confirm the vision, bless them in it, send them, and support them as they go.
I am working my way through the book of Luke and the parable of the Good Samaritan really impacted me. I have been reflecting on it everyday since then. Why? I have read it many, many times in my life. I have heard it told many, many times.
Six years ago, God laid a vision for Bible translation on my husband's heart. I clearly remember how, on the way home after an ABT presentation at our church, he turned to me, and said, “This is what I want to do!”
Recently I heard a message by Paris Reidhead entitled, “Ten Shekels and a Shirt.” In this message, Reidhead tells the story of two Moravian missionaries who left their communities to sell themselves into slavery in order to reach African slaves with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
“When we all get to heaven, what a day of rejoicing that will be!” Amen.
Will there be any regrets in heaven?
It has been said that one of the greatest disappointments we’ll have once we get to heaven is how little we used the power of prayer!
“Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Romans 10:17
“Repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And you are witness of these things.” Luke 24:47, 48
“Go therefore, and make disciples of all nations.” Matthew 28:19
“In you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” Genesis 12:3
“That the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the Gospel.” Ephesians 3:6
“That they all may be one; as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You, that they also may be one in Us; that the world may believe that You sent Me.” John 17:21
“Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations’?” Mark 11:17
“Ask of me, and I will give You the nations for Your inheritance.” Psalm 2:8
“Behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes.” Revelation 7:9
“Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified.” 2 Thessalonians 3:1
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” 2 Timothy 3:16
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105
“As cold water to a weary soul, so is good news from a far country.” Proverbs 25:25
“More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.” Psalm 19:10
“All the ends of the world shall remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations shall worship before You.” Psalm 22:27
“Truly, as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the LORD.” Numbers 14:21
“Declare His glory among the nations, His wonders among all peoples. For the LORD is great and greatly to be praised; He is to be feared above all gods.” Psalm 96:3, 4
“For the earth will be filled With the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.” Habakkuk 2:14
“That all the peoples of the earth may know that the Lord is God; there is no other.” 1 Kings 8:60
“For from the rising of the sun, even to its going down, My name shall be great among the Gentiles; in every place incense shall be offered to My name, and a pure offering; for My name shall be great among the nations.” Malachi 1:11
“All nations whom You have made shall come and worship before You, O Lord, and shall glorify Your name.” Psalm 86:9
“For as the earth brings forth its bud, as the garden causes the things that are sown in it to spring forth, so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.” Isaiah 61:11
"Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!" Psalm 46:10
"This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth." 1 Timothy 2:3, 4
"You are worthy. . .; for You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, and have made us kings and priests to our God." Revelation 5:9,
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