Thy Word
“So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.” – Acts 19:20
It had been a long day coming from America and stopping in Japan before transiting via Bangkok to Udon Thani and then travelling up to Nong Khai. That is only the beginning. Jetlagging and perspiring, these foreigners finally came to a shop house. Tirelessly, they haul their empty luggage to a room. Immediately they started to work. That is the real work. That is what they went there for. Filled with enthusiasm, they packed their suitcases to the brim with the only thing that can change a person’s life.
It is not some trend that has permeated into the church, nor is it some method of growth thought of by some respectable PhD holder. It isn’t some great social work or feed the hungry program. It is simply believing that there is power in the Word of God, that the Word is sharper than any two-edged sword, that when the Word goes forth, He will not return void, and that the Word is able to wash our mind and change our attitude.
So, this group of non-native language speakers, once again, boarded a tuk-tuk and then a bus, passed through immigration and took another bus into Vientiane with a full load of Bibles. Once delivered, they made their way back to Nong Khai to load up their backpacks or suitcases again for the next trip. Yet, during all these times, they kept their zeal and excitement. What great joy it is to see lives change because of the Word of God. What great delight it is to see our extended family receive the Word of God. It is water to our soul. It makes it all worthwhile.
Thy Word have I hid in my heart that I may not sin against thee.
The world has seen the devastation that sin has on humanity. Yet, in all of man’s wisdom, they deny this fact and say that man would rather justify their own behavior than believe that God has a solution. Perhaps, it’s the system that is not good enough. Maybe if we did more social work, we would not have so much need. These people need to be educated so then we can eradicate poverty. If we put a better program in the church, then maybe more people might come to church. And so forth. The issue is not with the systems or the methods. The issue is sin and only the Bible has the solution and the power to inwardly change us.
Learn a lesson from the pig.
There was once a city boy who went to a farm to help his grandparents. On this farm, there were hogs and pigs of all kinds. Coming from the city, the boy was not used to the smell and filth of the pigs, so one day he decided to do something. He went to the pig sty, took a pig and began scrubbing it and bathing it until it was all clean. With a smile on his face, he released the pig, all proud of himself for the deed. However, once the pig was released, the pig immediately went towards the mud and rolled itself over in it and hence was filthy once again.
My friends, no matter how much we clean the pig, it will roll in the mud or in its own feces. That is its nature. No matter how much we change the system or make good the outside, it is the nature of sin inside man that makes a mess of things. To see sustainable change, we need the power that will be able to break the curse and that, my friends, is all found in the Word of God.
While it is the Holy Spirit that may convict us, it is the Word of God that changes us.
1. The Word of God informs us of our sin
and transgressions.
2. The Word of God warns us of the con-
sequences of sin and our transgressions.
3. The Word of God draws us to Jesus.
4. The Word of God inspires us to live for
Jesus.
5. The Word of God transforms us to be
more like Jesus.
Has it been a long time since you gave out the Word of God? Cities and nations will change because of the Word of God, but it is also true of the opposite. Take away the Word of God and lawlessness reigns. Take away the Word of God and homosexuals rejoice. Take away the Word of God and the sanctity of life becomes death.
As I write this, Brother O is trying to build a Bible-training school in Laos. Brother Doug is getting ready to print and to bring the Word of God to Laos. Brother Mark has just finished teaching the Word of God in Laos.
Would you partake in this nation-changing endeavour? Perhaps you could be a courier or maybe you could finance the printing of bibles? Maybe you can sponsor Bible students or help to finance the building of this Bible-training school? Whatever it is, you are invited to be a part. Let the Word go forth.
Hubert
