God's people read the Bible
O land, land, land hear the word of the Lord
(Jeremiah 22:29)
When I woke up in the morning some time ago, a strong impression was still very present, as if I had just heard and seen it freshly. It was the words mentioned above and I saw a group of people on the Älggialp who were listening while the Bible was proclaimed aloud. That it was the Älggialp, I recognized by the outline of Switzerland, which was built there at the geographical center of the country some years ago. While praying about it, it became a certainty: this is Father's will and that this impulse was given by the Holy Spirit.
Just a few days later, the Holy Spirit reminded me of the "Letter to the Church of Jesus," which we sent out in 2019 translated into about 20 languages to many thousands of Christians worldwide and which is also printed in the booklet "Stop. Emergency Stop!". This urgent message of Jesus to his church is about the three fundamentally most important areas into which Jesus wants to call us back: Back to the first love! Back to his word! Back to an understanding of our roots/Israel! I read this message again and it occurred to me that this call to read the Bible is a continuation of the practical implementation of the letter to the church of Jesus. We could experience the work of God regarding the first area in the last two years when HE called us to repentance (including the meetings on the Day of Prayer 2022). We should not continue to love "our" life, but instead die so that HE can live in us. This means: back to the first, deep, intimate love for HIM!
And now it goes on continuously in view of HIS message. HE takes aim at the second area: Come back to my word! Therefore, we reprint here this area of the letter (in brown color) to hear what HE has to say about it, so "Stop. Emergency stop."
"I have against you that you have turned away from my word. Come back to my word."
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. This was with God in the beginning. All things came to be through the same thing, and without the same thing neither came to be." (John 1:1-3). These first verses should already overwhelmingly demonstrate to you what my Word is all about; should convict you and lead you to a greater hunger for my Word.
"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory" (John 1:14a). Here it becomes very clear that you cannot separate the Word from me. Whoever separates himself from the Word separates himself from me and the Father. If you want to get to know us better and deeper, then this happens first of all through my word. Here you read, hear and see who I am, how I am and what I do. It is an open view into my heart, my thoughts, feelings, my character and my being. How could you ever know and love me without knowing and loving my word?
Day and night words flood you in all variations: TV, newspaper, sms, WhatsApp, mails and much more. All and each demands your attention, invades your thoughts and senses and makes you slaves and prisoners. From this hectic, disoriented, addictive state, which is increasing more and more, I call you back to my word. To the rest of my eternal word. To words in which my creative power dwells - in connection with the Holy Spirit. I speak and it becomes! As urgently as you need me yourselves, so you need my word. Many of you have the Word, but do not hear and read it. Others even read it, but do not do what it says.
(You cannot) live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God." (Mt 4:4).
"You know that everything will pass away one day, but my words will never pass away. They have eternal validity." (Mt 24:35).
How will you learn and increase in knowledge without my word? "For all Scripture is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, fitted for every good work." (2 Tim. 3:16-17).
In the increasing darkness, how will you be sure that you are and remain on the right path? "Your word is a lamp to my foot and a light to my path." (Ps 119:105).
You see, if you turn away from the Word, you will never become mature sons and daughters of your Father. You will go astray; perhaps be lost forever. Who among you really wants that? The consequence of this should be a turning to my word. Turn back, set out and come back to my word.
If we take the words of Jesus seriously, then we can only gratefully marvel and rejoice that HE Himself calls us to once again speak or proclaim HIS life-giving word over the land and the people.
We believe that the Lord also wants to call brothers and sisters in other nations to do the same in their countries. Important, beneficial, spiritual impulses will continue to go out from Switzerland to the whole world.
Jesus' words "Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God" (Mt 4:4) have motivated us to ask for support for two projects. One is the printing of Bibles in Burundi. We have personal contacts there. Secondly, we would like to support the Wycliffe Bible translators so that the Word of God can be translated into all languages and dialects. Every donation for this and to cover the costs of Bible reading is of course heartily welcome. Thank you very much for your support!
Some practical hints for the Bible reading on Älggialp:
- We trust in the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, there is no schedule (doodle) to sign up for beforehand.
- There will always be responsible persons there to answer questions.
- There will be readings without interruption. We pray that there will be more than enough people at all times of the day and night. There will be Bibles in D, F, I, and E.
- It is about reading, proclaiming God's Word, but also about listening! Therefore, you will be blessed in every case, because faith comes from hearing (Rom 10:17).
- Everyone can read as long as he/she likes; one, two or more chapters.
- There will be an inn for lodging, food, etc. There will be additional WC.
Werner and Regula Woiwode