Tatiana, of the ethnic group called the "Kalmyks," has experienced a lifetime of disappointments. At a very young age, both of her parents died. Then as an adult, her husband went through a botched leg surgery that left him unable to walk or work. Even as their finances were falling apart, Tatiana received more heartbreaking news from her doctor: she would never be able to have children.
Tatiana was a devoted Buddhist, but this did nothing to bring her peace. Tatiana says, "I became depressed, but had no one to turn to."
How can God help me?
She had come to be friends with a woman at her workplace. Soon Tatiana found herself pouring out her problems and disappointments to this new friend, who listened intently. "You should put your cares into the hands of God," her Christian friend said.
"How can God help me?" Tatiana asked. "Can God give me a bag of money?" She wasn't mocking her friend; she truly didn't understand how God-if He really does exist-could possibly help her.
To help find answers, her friend invited Tatiana to come to church with her.
In the presence of God
Tatiana looked around at the people in the service. She saw faces of peace, heard joyful singing, and was amazed at how they prayed to God. "It was as though they were really speaking to God and God was invisibly present and hearing the prayers!" says Tatiana. It occurred to her that if this were true, then God was not high in the sky and far away, as her grandmother had told her.
Then the realization hit her. "If God is present in this church, then I am in the presence of God!" It was at that moment she knew in her soul that God was real and personal.
The pastor's message taught Tatiana that the Bible is the Word of God-the same God she had just come to recognize. She accepted the truth she was hearing from this Bible.
Desperate for rest
Tatiana felt welcomed by the kind Christians at the church, and was compelled to return. The third time she did, she came to the service feeling crushed by the weight of her problems. Then she heard from the Word.
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls" (Matthew 11:28-29).
"The words of Jesus gripped my heart," says Tatiana. "It was as if He had spoken directly to me because He knew about how weary and burdened I was over my problems." She decided to accept Jesus' invitation and let Him bring her the rest she so desperately wanted.
A Buddhist believes
"I really cannot explain it, but in those moments of hearing and thinking about the words of Jesus I, a Buddhist, came to believe that Jesus had spoken to me and I needed to go to Him. Faith was born in me. My eyes filled with tears at the reality of it all."
She accepted Jesus that day. Tatiana explains, "I cried out to Jesus to take away my heavy burden of troubles and to give me rest. What joy flooded my inner being as I actually experienced the Lord Jesus lift away from me my burden and then gently place on me His peace."
"I was no longer a believer in Buddha but a believer in Christ."
Miraculous blessings
Tatiana went home and destroyed the relics of her former religion. "I only wanted room in my life for Christ and the Bible," she says. She was baptized and, upon completing a Bible study, received her very own Bible. Shortly after that, her husband accepted Jesus, too.
God miraculously blessed Tatiana and her husband. His leg was healed, so he was able to walk and work again. And they now have two children, a son and a daughter!
Peace despite persecution
Now that she's a Christian, Tatiana's life has a new hardship.
"The anger of my Buddhist relatives is sometimes expressed in ways to humiliate me. They have cut me off from family activities and I am no longer included in relatives' events," she explains. "For comfort I turn to reading the Word of God and hold His promises tightly in my heart."
Tatiana also feels the love and acceptance of her new family, her brothers and sisters in Christ. "I have so much to rejoice and be glad about, because of Jesus."
Please visit our Bible Power website
Wednesday, 14 March 2007
Bible Power
Southern Sudan—Over 1,000 soldiers find Jesus
On the 7 March 2007 two African Union (AU) peacekeepers were killed and one was seriously injured in Darfur. According to BBC news report, the faction of the Sudan Liberation Army rebels who carried out this attack were supposed to be AU’s partner in implementing Darfur’s peace agreement. This incident has upset the peace agreement signed in 2005 by Sudan’s Islamic government and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army.
In the last two years since the signing of the peace agreement, Bible League took the opportunity to rebuild the ministry in the churches and explore new ministry fields. God amazingly led Bible League to start a ministry in the army barracks. God’s Word, sharper than the double-edged sword, has penetrated the hearts of the soldiers, convicting them of sin and leading them to salvation.
“I joined Sudan People Liberation Army when I was seventeen. My goal was to kill every Arab I met. When the peace agreement was signed, I had nothing to do. But the Lord had His plan. Someone invited me to join a Bible League Bible study group. Out of curiosity, I joined the group and began reading God’s Word. After four days of study, I was convicted by the Word of God. I realised that my hatred of the Arabs was a sin and sinners have to face God’s wrath. I confessed my sin. Praise God that now I love my Arab brothers,” a soldier testifies.
Another witnesses, “As a soldier, my job was to kill. I lived in war all my life. I had no reason to live and I always wished that I would die. When one of the commanders asked me to accompany him to attend Bible League’s Bible study group, I sat down and listened. Something touched and burned in my heart. I began to cry as I confessed my sins of killing and raping. The person sitting next to me sensed my agony and prayed for me. God restored my life that day.”
These men were two of over 1,000 soldiers who had completed the Project Philip Bible study program. They all were baptised. Last year, Bible League placed a total of 154,763 Scriptures in Southern Sudan, trained 43,576 Bible study graduates and baptised 9,333 new believers.
However, there are still millions of people in Sudan who need God’s Word, including many more soldiers. The National Director in Southern Sudan believes that the Sudanese will only find true peace when they find Jesus, the peace-giver. Will you help place more Scriptures in Sudan, so that more people can be transformed by God’s Word?
Please visit our Bible website before you leave
On the 7 March 2007 two African Union (AU) peacekeepers were killed and one was seriously injured in Darfur. According to BBC news report, the faction of the Sudan Liberation Army rebels who carried out this attack were supposed to be AU’s partner in implementing Darfur’s peace agreement. This incident has upset the peace agreement signed in 2005 by Sudan’s Islamic government and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army.
In the last two years since the signing of the peace agreement, Bible League took the opportunity to rebuild the ministry in the churches and explore new ministry fields. God amazingly led Bible League to start a ministry in the army barracks. God’s Word, sharper than the double-edged sword, has penetrated the hearts of the soldiers, convicting them of sin and leading them to salvation.
“I joined Sudan People Liberation Army when I was seventeen. My goal was to kill every Arab I met. When the peace agreement was signed, I had nothing to do. But the Lord had His plan. Someone invited me to join a Bible League Bible study group. Out of curiosity, I joined the group and began reading God’s Word. After four days of study, I was convicted by the Word of God. I realised that my hatred of the Arabs was a sin and sinners have to face God’s wrath. I confessed my sin. Praise God that now I love my Arab brothers,” a soldier testifies.
Another witnesses, “As a soldier, my job was to kill. I lived in war all my life. I had no reason to live and I always wished that I would die. When one of the commanders asked me to accompany him to attend Bible League’s Bible study group, I sat down and listened. Something touched and burned in my heart. I began to cry as I confessed my sins of killing and raping. The person sitting next to me sensed my agony and prayed for me. God restored my life that day.”
These men were two of over 1,000 soldiers who had completed the Project Philip Bible study program. They all were baptised. Last year, Bible League placed a total of 154,763 Scriptures in Southern Sudan, trained 43,576 Bible study graduates and baptised 9,333 new believers.
However, there are still millions of people in Sudan who need God’s Word, including many more soldiers. The National Director in Southern Sudan believes that the Sudanese will only find true peace when they find Jesus, the peace-giver. Will you help place more Scriptures in Sudan, so that more people can be transformed by God’s Word?
Please visit our Bible website before you leave
Tuesday, 27 February 2007
Bible Power
MEXICO:
When a girl turns 15 in Latin America, there is usually a celebration. Her mother wanted to give Elia a party, but she didn't feel like celebrating. Her father had just died and she felt abandoned.
"My mother and I continued to go to church," Elia remembers, "but I had no joy in my heart."
Elia and her mother reached a compromise. Instead of a big party, Elia would go on a camping trip with her church. It was a trip where she would find God as her Father.
As she grew in the Lord, Elia developed a passion for reaching others with the message of salvation. Her God-given gift of evangelism was helped by Bible League training.
Her training came at a time when her church was going through a struggle. "We had forgotten that the world needs God's Word," says Elia.
When Elia first put her training to work, she was nervous. But the first woman Elia visited was open to studying the Bible with her. This was a huge encouragement to this young woman who was so excited about sharing her faith.
"You have come at just the right time," said the woman to Elia. "My daughter has been raped and she wants to kill her attacker." Through the Gospel of John, Elia was able to share the love of Jesus with this hurting family.
A lonely woman with no family or friends was also visited by Elia. "As we talked," says Elia, "she admitted to me that she had become a prostitute." This woman was certain that her sin was too severe—she could never find forgiveness.
Elia showed the woman from the Bible that Jesus can and will forgive any sin. "We talked for a long time and she cried inconsolably as she realized she needed Jesus in her life," says Elia.
Today, Elia and her husband serve God as they lead people to Christ by studying God's Word. She sees the lives of those in the studies changing as they learn more about Jesus and His love for them. "But my life has changed, too," says Elia, "as I continue to study for myself and I come to know God more through His Word."
Please visit our Bible website
When a girl turns 15 in Latin America, there is usually a celebration. Her mother wanted to give Elia a party, but she didn't feel like celebrating. Her father had just died and she felt abandoned.
"My mother and I continued to go to church," Elia remembers, "but I had no joy in my heart."
Elia and her mother reached a compromise. Instead of a big party, Elia would go on a camping trip with her church. It was a trip where she would find God as her Father.
As she grew in the Lord, Elia developed a passion for reaching others with the message of salvation. Her God-given gift of evangelism was helped by Bible League training.
Her training came at a time when her church was going through a struggle. "We had forgotten that the world needs God's Word," says Elia.
When Elia first put her training to work, she was nervous. But the first woman Elia visited was open to studying the Bible with her. This was a huge encouragement to this young woman who was so excited about sharing her faith.
"You have come at just the right time," said the woman to Elia. "My daughter has been raped and she wants to kill her attacker." Through the Gospel of John, Elia was able to share the love of Jesus with this hurting family.
A lonely woman with no family or friends was also visited by Elia. "As we talked," says Elia, "she admitted to me that she had become a prostitute." This woman was certain that her sin was too severe—she could never find forgiveness.
Elia showed the woman from the Bible that Jesus can and will forgive any sin. "We talked for a long time and she cried inconsolably as she realized she needed Jesus in her life," says Elia.
Today, Elia and her husband serve God as they lead people to Christ by studying God's Word. She sees the lives of those in the studies changing as they learn more about Jesus and His love for them. "But my life has changed, too," says Elia, "as I continue to study for myself and I come to know God more through His Word."
Please visit our Bible website
Saturday, 24 February 2007
Bible Power
MIDDLE EAST:
Power in God’s Word
“I was the Imam of a Mosque,” says Faroq*. “I decided to examine the life of Jesus in the Injil [Gospels]. I searched until I found a Christian who gave me an Injil—covertly transported into the country by the Bible League.
“I read it and came across ‘Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest,’ and I cried. Such wonderful words! I prayed, ‘If Jesus is God, I want to see you.’ It was a prayer of desperation and deep searching—I really wanted to know! After three days Jesus appeared to me, and I believed.
Jesus Restores and Heals
Faroq recited passages from Scripture to his wife, a devout Muslim. She asked him many questions about the Bible, and then she also become a Christian.
Muslim authorities learned that Faroq is a follower of Christ. He says, “I was interrogated and tortured to give up my Christianity and return to Islam. Everyone, including our family, was against us.”
Then one day a cousin of Faroq came to him in great pain from kidney stones. Faroq said to him, “If a Muslim is able to heal you, I will return to Islam. But Jesus can heal you.”
“How?” his cousin asked. Then Faroq prayed for him in Jesus name.
His cousin left, but then came back early the next morning, and said, “I am healthy again. After I left you, the pain stopped. I went to my doctor and he told me that the stone was gone. He asked what happened. I told him that someone had prayed for me and Jesus had healed me.”
Both were so moved by this event, that they asked Faroq, “What must we do to follow Jesus?” So Faroq led them to Christ.
Loving the Ones Jesus Loves
So far, 36 people in Faroq’s family have been baptized. This has brought overwhelming hardship on all of them. All are now poor since they lost jobs and business because of their Christianity. One cousin was beaten to death by police because he would not renounce Jesus and return to Islam.
But, training and a supply of Scriptures from the Bible League help Faroq remain faithful, “Now I share the Good News of Christ with my countrymen in whatever way I can.”
*Name changed for security reasons.
Please visit our Bible website before you leave
Power in God’s Word
“I was the Imam of a Mosque,” says Faroq*. “I decided to examine the life of Jesus in the Injil [Gospels]. I searched until I found a Christian who gave me an Injil—covertly transported into the country by the Bible League.
“I read it and came across ‘Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest,’ and I cried. Such wonderful words! I prayed, ‘If Jesus is God, I want to see you.’ It was a prayer of desperation and deep searching—I really wanted to know! After three days Jesus appeared to me, and I believed.
Jesus Restores and Heals
Faroq recited passages from Scripture to his wife, a devout Muslim. She asked him many questions about the Bible, and then she also become a Christian.
Muslim authorities learned that Faroq is a follower of Christ. He says, “I was interrogated and tortured to give up my Christianity and return to Islam. Everyone, including our family, was against us.”
Then one day a cousin of Faroq came to him in great pain from kidney stones. Faroq said to him, “If a Muslim is able to heal you, I will return to Islam. But Jesus can heal you.”
“How?” his cousin asked. Then Faroq prayed for him in Jesus name.
His cousin left, but then came back early the next morning, and said, “I am healthy again. After I left you, the pain stopped. I went to my doctor and he told me that the stone was gone. He asked what happened. I told him that someone had prayed for me and Jesus had healed me.”
Both were so moved by this event, that they asked Faroq, “What must we do to follow Jesus?” So Faroq led them to Christ.
Loving the Ones Jesus Loves
So far, 36 people in Faroq’s family have been baptized. This has brought overwhelming hardship on all of them. All are now poor since they lost jobs and business because of their Christianity. One cousin was beaten to death by police because he would not renounce Jesus and return to Islam.
But, training and a supply of Scriptures from the Bible League help Faroq remain faithful, “Now I share the Good News of Christ with my countrymen in whatever way I can.”
*Name changed for security reasons.
Please visit our Bible website before you leave
Friday, 23 February 2007
Bible Power
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Wednesday, 21 February 2007
Bible Power
HUNGARY:
I used to frequent clubs, smoke whatever came my way, and date many wild girls. My body piercings would draw plenty of attention as I often showed them off. I was very belligerent to my parents and everyone around me, except my party buddies.
I enjoyed everything I could and with zest. But, when I reached the age of 21, my life turned so crazy and messed up, I had to move away from my home and live with relatives in another city.
A change of scenery brings new perspective
I found work but my life was still confusing. My aunt and cousin were both Christians, but I didn't know what that meant. Sometimes, my cousin would invite me to a Bible study but I would refuse each time she asked. Then something odd occurred and made me curious about God and the Bible.
My aunt's Bible sat on the table and I thought to pick it up and read, but didn't want anyone to know so I just left it alone. The same day, I was visiting my cousin and she had a Bible sitting on her table, too. I thought it was odd that I would see two Bibles in a day. That's when I felt a stirring inside to know more.
I decided to go to a Bible study with my cousin. After a few visits and studying the Scriptures, I accepted Jesus Christ as my personal Savior and was baptized right away.
After my conversion, I completely turned my back on my old life. I even began to preach the Gospel to everyone I met.
My parents didn't like what happened to me. They thought I joined a cult. But they had seen a change in me and eventually they also received Jesus Christ.
My life is so different now and I am so grateful that the Lord saved me from my sins and gave me this new life. I am also thankful to the Bible League for the Bible study books that help me understand and remember the things I learn from God's Word.
Please visit the Bible website before you leave
I used to frequent clubs, smoke whatever came my way, and date many wild girls. My body piercings would draw plenty of attention as I often showed them off. I was very belligerent to my parents and everyone around me, except my party buddies.
I enjoyed everything I could and with zest. But, when I reached the age of 21, my life turned so crazy and messed up, I had to move away from my home and live with relatives in another city.
A change of scenery brings new perspective
I found work but my life was still confusing. My aunt and cousin were both Christians, but I didn't know what that meant. Sometimes, my cousin would invite me to a Bible study but I would refuse each time she asked. Then something odd occurred and made me curious about God and the Bible.
My aunt's Bible sat on the table and I thought to pick it up and read, but didn't want anyone to know so I just left it alone. The same day, I was visiting my cousin and she had a Bible sitting on her table, too. I thought it was odd that I would see two Bibles in a day. That's when I felt a stirring inside to know more.
I decided to go to a Bible study with my cousin. After a few visits and studying the Scriptures, I accepted Jesus Christ as my personal Savior and was baptized right away.
After my conversion, I completely turned my back on my old life. I even began to preach the Gospel to everyone I met.
My parents didn't like what happened to me. They thought I joined a cult. But they had seen a change in me and eventually they also received Jesus Christ.
My life is so different now and I am so grateful that the Lord saved me from my sins and gave me this new life. I am also thankful to the Bible League for the Bible study books that help me understand and remember the things I learn from God's Word.
Please visit the Bible website before you leave
Monday, 19 February 2007
Bible Power
KENYA:
This small village in Kenya didn't know God's power until a humble Christian named Anderson was sent to break the strongholds of fear and bring Truth into lives.
Anderson the church planter.
Anderson was a church planter in Samburu, Kenya. He would travel throughout the region evangelizing and sharing God's love to lost souls, yet ill-equipped to follow up a new convert's spiritual journey after he left their village. Then he joined the church planting training through the Bible Networks ministry in Samburu.
Bible Network equips the church planter
"I was now prepared to evangelize and to make strategic follow up with the aim of making any new believer become an active member in a church," Anderson says. "Within six months, I managed to plant a church with the Bibles and skills the Bible Network provided."
Moving forward with his passion for serving the Church, Anderson set his sight toward another village called Supati Ingejek. "All the skills I learned through Bible Network training had proven profitable. I was moved by the Holy Spirit to start a church in this small village of 400 people," he says.
A village with Satan's stronghold
"I surveyed the area and noticed that no pastor or evangelist dared plant a church in this village." It was home to a famous witchdoctor consulted by the old and young.
He controlled the affairs of the people and instilled fear among them. Christians feared to venture into this village.
Anderson claims the village in the name of Christ
"I took time to seek God's intervention and guidance before stepping in and setting up a church." As I began to introduce myself to the people of the village, the witchdoctor confronted me when he realized I spoke of Jesus Christ. I told the people that they can overcome the powers of darkness, including the power of witchdoctors.
The battle rages
"He threatened me and commanded me to leave that village with his assurance that if I attempt to preach or plant a church, I will die!"
Members of the community surrounded the two, telling Anderson that he must plead for mercy from the witchdoctor. "I was filled with power from heaven and said, 'You must repent and accept Christ as your Savior or you will die in your sin!'" he recalls.
Victory is the Lord's
Days later, to Anderson's amazement, "When I came back to follow up on people who had responded to the Gospel, those in the village told me the witchdoctor had collapsed and died—that very same day."
"When the people saw me, they approached me with thanksgiving for many had suffered under the evil influence of this man," Anderson says.
Glory to God for the healthy church Anderson planted in the village of Supati Ingejek, with over 100 people and growing.
Please visit our Bible Power website before you leave
This small village in Kenya didn't know God's power until a humble Christian named Anderson was sent to break the strongholds of fear and bring Truth into lives.
Anderson the church planter.
Anderson was a church planter in Samburu, Kenya. He would travel throughout the region evangelizing and sharing God's love to lost souls, yet ill-equipped to follow up a new convert's spiritual journey after he left their village. Then he joined the church planting training through the Bible Networks ministry in Samburu.
Bible Network equips the church planter
"I was now prepared to evangelize and to make strategic follow up with the aim of making any new believer become an active member in a church," Anderson says. "Within six months, I managed to plant a church with the Bibles and skills the Bible Network provided."
Moving forward with his passion for serving the Church, Anderson set his sight toward another village called Supati Ingejek. "All the skills I learned through Bible Network training had proven profitable. I was moved by the Holy Spirit to start a church in this small village of 400 people," he says.
A village with Satan's stronghold
"I surveyed the area and noticed that no pastor or evangelist dared plant a church in this village." It was home to a famous witchdoctor consulted by the old and young.
He controlled the affairs of the people and instilled fear among them. Christians feared to venture into this village.
Anderson claims the village in the name of Christ
"I took time to seek God's intervention and guidance before stepping in and setting up a church." As I began to introduce myself to the people of the village, the witchdoctor confronted me when he realized I spoke of Jesus Christ. I told the people that they can overcome the powers of darkness, including the power of witchdoctors.
The battle rages
"He threatened me and commanded me to leave that village with his assurance that if I attempt to preach or plant a church, I will die!"
Members of the community surrounded the two, telling Anderson that he must plead for mercy from the witchdoctor. "I was filled with power from heaven and said, 'You must repent and accept Christ as your Savior or you will die in your sin!'" he recalls.
Victory is the Lord's
Days later, to Anderson's amazement, "When I came back to follow up on people who had responded to the Gospel, those in the village told me the witchdoctor had collapsed and died—that very same day."
"When the people saw me, they approached me with thanksgiving for many had suffered under the evil influence of this man," Anderson says.
Glory to God for the healthy church Anderson planted in the village of Supati Ingejek, with over 100 people and growing.
Please visit our Bible Power website before you leave
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