Eat This Word
"But you, son of man . . . open your mouth and eat what I give you . . . eat this scroll and go, speak to the house of Israel . . . then I ate it, and it was in my mouth as sweet as honey" (Ezek 2:8-3:3).
Our access to the honey of God's Word in America is ridiculous. We are the recipients of ridiculous grace! If you have any doubts, American Christian, take some time tonight to gather up every single copy of the Bible in your house. Pile them all together. Have your family count them. Note how many translations. Styles. Forms of bindings and coverings. Large print and so tiny nobody can see the print. Black covers, burgundy, blue, white, pink, teen study Bibles, the Bible for Plumbers, it is ridiculous. Digital and audiovisual copies, too!
What's even more ridiculous is how few hours we spend in the Bible each week, given our amazing access to it. Do its pages, after all, contain the very words of God? Then why are we not "eating this scroll"?
There remains an even more ridiculous fact, however. According to Wycliffe Bible Translators, over 2200 people groups on this planet have still not seen even one verse of God's Word in their own heart language. Now, friends, if we really believe the Bible is the Word of God, and that God saves us and sanctifies us by His Word (and He does - Rom 10:17; John 17:17; James 1:18), then this lack of access to it among the people of the world has to `rank` as the crime of our day. In this day and age, when we can whisk documents around the world at light speed, millions still have no access to the Words of Life?
My friends, Karl & Debbie Crossman are absolutely committed to getting the Word of God to the ends of the earth. As Wycliffe missionaries, they served for many years in Papau, New Guinea. They and their four children are all missionaries at heart. Their oldest daughter, Abby (15 years old, I think), is going to Peru this summer to spread the love and message of Christ.
Karl's skill set in radio communications and IT, however, were most needed in the JAARS center in Charlotte, NC. Check them out at www.jaars.org. The move from Papua New Guinea to Charlotte has not been easy on the Crossman family, and the level of support required for them to serve at JAARS is considerably higher than it was in PNG. They need your help to get to the 100% support level by June if they are to remain on the field with Wycliffe. Please, dear Christians, prayerfully consider giving to them. Put your money where your mouth is when it comes to this precious gift of God's self-revelation to humanity.
Contact Karl and Debbie at kdcrossman@windstream.net for more info or to have them come speak at your local congregation. Why not pledge even a small amount of $25 a month to the Crossman's? Visit www.wycliffe.org and click the "Give" link to make the transaction quick and easy. Simply designate your gift (one time, monthly, quarterly, or yearly) to Karl & Deborah Crossman on the on-line form or mail your contribution to Wycliffe Bible Translators, PO Box 628200, Orlando, FL 32862-8200. The Crossman Acct # is 352527.
Last night, our pastor preached from Matthew 6, with an emphasis upon our heart treasure. Where is your teasure? Your pocketbook won't lie. Why not give more to missions, missionaries, and Bible translation, and see if your heart does not follow? "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also" (Matt 6:21).
Heavenly Father, may Your name by revered, and may You be pleased to make Your name great through the work of my friends, Your servants, Karl and Deb Crossman. Use them and us, O Lord, partnering together to send Your Word to peoples who have never heard of Jesus, nor ever read a verse of Scripture in their own language. I ask, Lord, that You do a mighty work of grace, gather the financial support needed to keep the Crossman's living out their calling. Stir the hearts of Your people to give, for in Christ You have given lavishly to us. Please do it for the sake and fame of Your Son, our Savior, Jesus the Messiah. Amen.
by Keith McWhorter