litter scripta manet

Thank the Lord for His perfect, written word. This literary work we know as the Bible not only gives comfort and hope in time of need, it is the document which lays out the foundation upon which the church of Christ is built. The written word of God, for millennium, has been used to explain God’s will for the salvation of man, gives examples of how to walk in a “manner worthy of the calling...”, and reveals the power of the Holy Spirit in us, “which is Christ in you, the hope of Glory”. I could not imagine the emptiness I would feel without having the written word of God to read every day. News Alert! This just in from Africa. “Great news from Tanzania: Our team has completed New Testament translations in three more languages! The Makonde, Mwera, and Zaramo translations are in the final stages of typesetting now.” (Chris Vickio) This work, completed by the servants at Pioneer Bible Translators, is in need of funding for printing and dissemination of 15,000 copies @ $4.00 per copy. “This is the culmination of many years of work and dedication for these projects and is an exciting step as we look forward to many people hearing and reading the gospel in their own language for the first time. Around 2.5 million people speak one of these languages here in Tanzania, most of whom are not yet Christians, so the potential is huge!” If you value your Bible like I do, let’s commit to sending funds to help this project put the written word of God into peoples hands. Consider it another small way we can help in making disciples of the nations. God’s written word was meant to be translated, studied, relied upon and preached. Again, I thank the Lord for preserving His word in written form. Imagine our government without the Constitution? Any corporation without its bylaws? Beethoven’s 5th without the sheet music? Without the original intentions of the designer to rely on, the work becomes transfigured beyond recognition. The word of God, of course, is of supreme importance. It alone is the source of divine power and truth. Psalm 119:160 “The sum of Your word is truth, And every one of Your righteous ordinances is everlasting.” John 17:17, “Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.” 1Cor1:18 “For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” Without the written word of God we are like sheep without a shepherd, a ship without a compass or a building project without blueprints. Devote yourself the study of the Bible. Attend classes. Meditate upon His scriptures. Oral traditions come and go, the spoken word someday will be forgotten, however, the “written word remains”.