"... now, will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry to Him day and night, and will He delay long over them? ...”
Luke 18:1 - 8
Join us in giving thanks and praise for God's gift of Salvation. One thing I would ask my Bible classes is "which is more important Easter or Christmas"? So often we get lost in the flurry of Christmas glitter that we forget the meaning of Christmas which is God becoming incarnate, living a sinless life, and purchasing our pardon through His sacrifice.
THANKS BE TO GOD FOR HIS UNSPEAKABLE GIFT!
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
Part of Bible translation is constant checking for accuracy and readability. This month the "S" and "A" people will be receiving newly translated Scripture, portions of the New Testament, and will be working through the checking process. Pray the Holy Spirit will move in their hearts as they read God's Word, but will also reveal to them portions which should be changed before final approval.
holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict.
One of the challenges translators face is community interest in the Scriptures. One of our teams experienced a victory! They write: "We're also training the translators to study the passages on their own as they prepare to translate. It was such a joy to watch them listen to the passages, ask good questions, and find answers to those questions on their own."
These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
A translation team writes: "Praise the Lord that we've finished our third OBT workshop translating the Gospel of Mark into [the "A" and "S" languages]. We were able to draft and peer check about 4 chapters."
That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving,
and tell of all thy wondrous works.
Please pray for Afin and Yem during this time between their schooling. The boys will be spending time with their family in their home village during this holiday time. Pray for good and godly influences in their lives. The boys have not always made the best decisions. We are praying they will learn to trust God more than glittery things.
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
The end of the semester is approaching quickly. Pray for peace during these closing weeks. Quite a few events are planned as well as learning to be completed.
For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
Praise the Lord! After all the commotion in 2020 and the years following, Mary developed covid following her flight to the US. After three days of having cold symptoms, she was healthy again and able to be with her family during their days of mourning. Praise God for a good and quick recovery.
There shall no evil befall thee,
neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.
The Ket Bible is at the printers. We've told you about this already. Word has reached us that there are FOUR other projects ahead of the Ket Bible which must be printed first. The printing of the Ket Bible will be delayed until mid-year. Pray that all printing projects progress smoothly and perhaps mean that the Ket Bible can be printed sooner than scheduled.
Make me to understand the way of thy precepts:
so shall I talk of thy wondrous works.
This next week, Mary will be traveling back to Papua. Pray for traveling mercies. She'll leave Tuesday and arrive Friday morning.
The LORD will give strength unto his people;
the LORD will bless his people with peace.
The checking of the Jesus Film in the "D" language is proceeding through December. This is a great evangelical tool for those with an oral tradition. It whets the appetite to learn to read and study the Word of God in the "D" language. Pray the translation of the text of the film is finished this month so dubbing the film can begin in January.
And how is it that we each hear them in our own language to which we were born?
Word came to me, Mary, that my sister-in-law was losing her battle with cancer. She is one of the two friends for whom I have asked for prayer. God used a friend, who immediately stepped up, and provided sufficient funds to send me back to Auburn. I am grateful for being with my family as we grieved her death.
Jesus wept.
Mary has been listening to a friend pour her heart out concerning her organization (not an organization that involves the Lotts). Many of their people have been unable to get into their village allocations for various reasons, primarily relating to one bureaucracy or another. Please pray for these roadblocks to be removed and that people can be discipled.
For we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, more than once—and yet Satan hindered us.
Next week is the Spiritual Emphasis Week for the elementary grades. We do not know the agency the Holy Spirit uses to bring a person to Christ. Therefore, this week is crucial in presenting the Gospel to our young students. But, not only that, pray the 10-graders, who are the presenters, also have a knowledge of the Gospel and know how to become a Christian themselves. Please pray for this time is fruitful in the lives of all.
But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name,
Praise God the Ketenban Bible is at the printers. We especially rejoice due to our personal involvement with some of the Ketenban people.
But as for me, I trust in You, O LORD,
I say, “You are my God.”
My times are in Your hand;