2024 Autumn Sower

GOD'S WORD FOR AUSTRALIA

Dear Reader,

This edition of Sower is such a blessing, because it draws our focus right back to Bible Society’s most important mission: the Bible for all people, in their language, in their hands, and in their hearts.

You’ll read all about how God’s word is reaching Australians of all backgrounds, ages, ethnicities, and languages, and how important that is. As we know so well, God’s word is the ultimate source of hope, as we learn to trust in God’s character, his promises and believe in his goodness to us in Christ.

I hope you are as encouraged as I am, reading about the wonderful books Bible Society has developed and published with Aboriginal artist Fern Martins, for Christmas and Easter. Fern tells us that her prayer for all people is that they would know that the only reconciliation we can have is through the blood of Jesus. “This is the only real healing I’ve experienced as an Aboriginal person ... You can forgive through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. God’s made a way for that. Through his Son.” I think Fern’s prayer for those who receive The Easter Love Story book is so powerful. As she created her beautiful artwork, Fern wanted more than anything for people to know they are loved and forgiven.

There is such a need in Australia for God’s word, and especially for God’s word in the languages of peoples’ hearts. We know that Bible translation work has a long history in Australia, but this work needs support to continue, and especially so that it can be led by trained Indigenous people,

meaning that the whole process is owned by local communities. That’s why Bible Society Australia’s partnership with Nungalinya Theological College in Darwin is so important, as students are equipped to study to be Bible Translators. You’ll get a picture of this as you read about translators like Yurranydjil — for her, there is nothing more important than translating God’s word into heart languages, and she has been praying for years for God to provide other helpers in the work, so more may be done. She hopes that one day all Indigenous languages would have their own Bibles: “That would make God happy.”

As you read this Autumn edition of Sower, focused on ‘God’s word for Australia’, I pray that our “... God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." (Romans 15:13, NIV). Thank you for your partnership and support for Bible Society’s work in Australia, and around the world.

GOD BLESS,

Grant Thomson CEO, BIBLE SOCIETY AUSTRALIA

... God’s word is the ultimate source of hope, as we learn to trust in God’s character, his promises and believe in his goodness to us in Christ.

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV)

Fern Martins and The Easter Love Story

WhenFern Martin agreed to work with Bible Society Australia Publishing to produce a Christmas story book and an Easter story book with her gift of art, it was her prayer that she could create a work which was respectful to God’s word and respectful to Aboriginal people at the same time. “I just kept on praying about it,” Fern said. Having moved out of the mainstream art scene around 30 years ago, Fern has since strictly painted God’s glory and illustrated the Scriptures.

Fern came to faith in Jesus as a young single mother, having left an abusive relationship and returned to an area she used to visit with her grandmother — Newcastle NSW. While renting a caravan at Caves Beach, Fern repeatedly heard a voice urging her to, ‘Thank the Lord for what you have received’. Turning to the Aboriginal Fellowship for support, Fern visited church with an elder, and though she was uncomfortable — “I sat up the back and I thought, ‘get me out of here as fast as you can’” — Fern realises now that “God had his plan”. After hearing a sermon from an Aboriginal preacher, receiving prayer, and being given both a tract and a Bible, Fern began reading the book of John. “That evening, when I

had put the children to bed, I opened up the book of John and I started to read, and it was spirit speaking to spirit. I'd been born again ... it was an overwhelming, transforming experience. I could understand the spiritual essence of what God's word was saying. And from that moment on I was transformed. I had gone out of a darkness into the kingdom of light. It was an immediate transformation.”

In her book, God’s Christmas Promise, Fern, ably assisted by Bible Society Australia’s Publishing team, combined her love for Jesus and her gift of art to produce a storybook which blessed many. “It'd be lovely to have God's favour on it and to touch people's hearts with the story of Christ, [people] who would normally see [the Christmas story] as just a colonial concept, not understanding the depth of spirit, the depth of life, that God has given us through Christ. Normally I wouldn't work the way that I did with this Christmas story because there's a lot of dot work in it ... [but] I had to think of the audience it was going to. If it was going to take the blinkers off Aboriginal people and non-Aboriginal people to see the gospel, to see Jesus ... I used the dots

as a tool to draw them into the story, to attract a different audience to knowing about the birth of Christ and the promise.”

Fern’s prayer for her book was answered, with many people blessed by it. Bible Society Australia Publishing combined Fern’s beautiful artwork and words from the Bible into a beautiful, readable and relevant story book suitable for a broad audience. Bible Society Australia supplied more than 570 churches, schools and individuals with 80,000 copies of the book in the months leading up to Christmas. “What a gift to Australia to have our magnificent First Nations culture reflected in the story of the nativity,” said Nicole, who received free copies from Bible Society for

her church. “What richness this will bring to our churches to use it and how proud I am to share this with our community to reach them with the message of Jesus this Christmas.” Christine was another who received 200 copies for her church from Bible Society, which were distributed to children, the homeless community at the cafe church, through family Christmas hampers, community housing and her church’s Christmas lights display. “The artwork is superb, and the ... explanation of the Aboriginal symbols makes it very special.” Sue, another recipient on behalf of her church, found that the book led to many conversations across all age groups, such as those between grandparents and their grandchildren. Sue extended her gratitude for the book, saying,

“I want to thank you for your Christmas booklet featuring Aboriginal art with a lovely retelling of the Christmas story. We loved its creative approach and the way it invited people to consider Jesus in a new way.”

This Easter, Fern’s second book, a companion to God’s Christmas Promise, has been distributed to churches by Bible Society Australia as a part of the Jesus. All About Life campaign, with over 120,000 copies printed. Again, Bible Society Australia Publishing collaborated with Fern to create The Easter Love Story. Fern’s prayer in creating this book was that she illustrated the Scriptures correctly, with integrity and honour. As she created the artwork for The Easter Love Story, Fern was holding both Aboriginal and non Aboriginal Australians in her heart. “I’m hoping that us Aboriginal people in Australia would feel the inclusiveness of the Easter story. We’ve suffered a lot of rejection, hatred and persecution. I really want to let my brothers and sisters across the country know that God has accepted us, and we were made in his image. I want all Australians to come to understand that we are all created in God’s image.”

Among the artwork presented in the book, Fern’s favourite is the one portraying Jesus breaking bread and sharing wine. “That to me is all about forgiveness and servanthood,” Fern says. “That night Jesus was talking about being a servant and teaching them how to be a servant through his ministry. To serve each other in love. And that was part of my journey, as an Aboriginal person, to see Jesus, and give love back to people who have hurt us so much.”

As she worked on this book, and as it is received by Australians this Easter, Fern’s prayer for all people is that they would know that the only reconciliation we can have is through the blood of Jesus. “This is the only real healing I’ve experienced as an Aboriginal person — and I deal with racism on a daily basis. You can forgive through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. God’s made a way for that. Through his Son.” Fern wants people to know this Easter that they are loved and forgiven. "We reach out to them and say, we want to forgive. Aboriginal Christians are asking, be a part of the body of Christ with us, let’s be united in one Spirit.”

Precious, Valuable, Beautiful: God’s Word for the Heart

For Yurranydjil, there is nothing more important than translating God’s word into heart languages, and she has been praying for years for God to provide other helpers in the work, so more may be done. “You know,” she says, “English is for the mind, but Yolŋu Matha is for the heart. And when we hear God’s word speak to us in the language that he has given us, it’s more precious, more valuable; it’s beautiful.” Coming from a multilingual kinship system, as do most Indigenous people, Yurranydjil expressed the hope that one day all Indigenous languages would have their own Bibles. “That would make God happy,” she said.

Yurranydjil and her husband Djawut, who come from Galiwin’ku, Elcho Island community, are both graduates of Nungalinya College’s Diploma of Bible Translation.

Years ago, Dr Jude Long began a conversation with Bible Society Australia’s Louise Sherman and Paul Eckert about Nungalinya College running formal training for Bible Translators, to be funded by various Bible Translation agencies in Australia. This came to fruition in the Diploma of Translating, supported by Bible Society Australia, Wycliffe Bible Translators, Coordinate (Uniting Church), AuSIL and the Anglican Diocese. The

first 15 students studied for three years and graduated in 2021. Yurranydjil and Djawut were among these first students, who all travelled to Darwin from their homes for three-week lesson blocks over the three years. “It was good for me to learn those things and now I’m able to convey the teaching to new translators,” said Yurranydjil.

Since 1992, Yurranydjil has been involved in Bible translation, helping translate the New Testament into her mother’s language, Djambarrpuyngu, with the New Testament published in 2008. She also worked on the Gospel of Mark in her father’s language of Wangurri. When Yurranydjil was 12 years old she was told by a teacher that she would be a Bible translator. “I used to go along with my mother when she used to do Bible translation work, and sometimes I would say, ‘Mum, you should do it this way,’ and she would say, ‘No, don’t correct me, young lady. You’ll have your turn’. Diane Buchannan, the woman who worked with my mum said, ‘Yurranydjil, I guess that you should be doing this job also’. And I said, ‘No, no, no, I can’t do it, I'm not educated.’” When Yurranydjil did join the translation team, she remembered what they had said. “It’s a job that

I really love doing. The number one priority is Bible translation work.”

Sandra Makurlngu, from Warruwi, Goulburn Island off the west coast of Arnhem Land, another graduate of the Diploma in 2021, expressed her thanks to all those who supported the diploma course. “You really helped us to come here and learn more about the Bible and how to translate it into our own language and do it properly, deeper, to make it clear, for our people to see the picture clear of how God is speaking to us in our own language today.”

In 2023, Nungalinya began a brand new Certificate II in Indigenous Translating, with the first year’s topics including Language identity, reading, writing and punctuation in First Language and collecting Language resources. Principal, Ben Van Gelderen says, “The Diploma of Translating had a lot of good things about it, particularly if you were an experienced translator. But, the new course, which we designed ourselves from road-tested materials is at just the right level for new, aspiring Bible translators from remote Indigenous communities.”

In 2023, 25 people were trained from two First Language cohorts: Murrinhpatha (Wadeye region) and from a number of the Yolŋu Languages of North-East Arnhem Land. They will finish their formal course in 2025, studying on how to translate with naturalness and accuracy. The translation courses at Nungalinya, Ben explains, are training people so they can go back home and carry on translation work, mostly Bible translation, but also kids’ resources, songs and more.

Ben notes that if any “Balanda” (white person) was interested in Bible translation, there would be opportunities to serve at Nungalinya in the future. “Bible translation works best when there’s a team in a community and in a Language, and often that involves a white fellow or Balanda person as well. So, for those who have those sorts of linguistic skills, and passion for translation work, you may not need to go overseas — you may need to come up here!”

“Nungalinya is so grateful for the partnership with Bible Society which enables us to teach this Certificate. Without BSA’s partnership we wouldn't have a Bible translation course. It really is as simple as that, and it is a massive need.” Of the many Indigenous languages in the Northern Territory, Ben says there are about 15 strong languages, and “virtually everyone knows one of those. But there’s many, many more as well. So the language work really is just beginning.”

EVERY $45 could support the publication of more Bible portions in Australian Indigenous languages.

EVERY $80 could help train local Bible translators through a Certificate of Bible Translation at Nungalinya Theological College in Darwin.

EVERY $130 could help produce audio Scriptures in Australian Indigenous languages — an invaluable resource for people with low vision or limited literacy skills.

Donate today at biblesociety.org.au/sow

God's Word for World Travellers: BSA's Partnership with Chaplains

Inthe bustling ports of Australia, among a great variety of ships, loading and unloading cargo, a silent yet profound ministry is reaching seafarers from around the globe. For over two decades, Rob Flinders, an ex-seafarer and a port missionary with the Seaman’s Christian Friend Society (SCFS), has been visiting ships arriving in Port Botany and Port Kembla. His mission is to offer Bibles, Bible Courses, and gospel tracts to seafarers from all over the world.

“International Seafarers are contracted to remain onboard their ships for periods up to nine months at a time,” explains Rob “so it’s good to be able to get a Bible in their hands and to encourage them to study.”

“Seafarers have little or no opportunities to hear the gospel,” Rob explains, as they spend their working life at sea.

Bible Society Australia’s Scripture Grants program enables Rob and his fellow port missionaries to distribute English and foreign language Bibles to seafarers, for which he is grateful.

“Bible Society provides the Word of God that we distribute and it’s the Word of God which always accomplishes what God purposes, and always prospers in that for which he sends it,” says Rob, reflecting on the powerful truth from Isaiah 55:11. Rob has witnessed this truth throughout

his many years of helping place Scriptures in the hands of seafarers.

As Rob meets with seafarers, he witnesses the transformative power of God's word.

Warren is the Filipino Chief Engineer of a small container ship that visits Port Botany every six weeks. Rob first met him in September 2021, and gave him a Bible and a Bible Course. Warren recently shared with Rob that, “Little by little as I have been reading God’s word, it has given me knowledge and wisdom and the light to find the path to be a true Christian, a servant of my King who died on the cross and shed His blood to make me righteousness in the sight of God.”

Rob also remembers Nicandro, the Filipino captain of a large bulk carrier, who began attending weekly Bible Studies led by the ship’s Chief Engineer and made a profession of faith in Jesus Christ. Nicandro told Rob in an email, “I

am so happy with who I am right now, and I want to grow deeper in my love for the Lord."

“I want to express my very sincere gratitude to the Bible Society for their generosity,” Rob says. “The grants they make available ... enable us to sow the seed and go forth into the harvest.”

Many seafarers have been impacted by the partnership between Chaplains like Rob, and Bible Society Australia through the Scripture Grants Program. As seafarers like Warren, Nicandro and others continue to sail with their Bibles in hand, praise God that they can find solace and strength in the Scriptures and know that they are not alone on their spiritual voyage.

Pray With Us

This Autumn season, will you pray with us for the continued opportunities to Open The Bible with Australians from all walks of life?

Scripture Grants

Let us pray for the widespread distribution of the Bible in Australia through the Scripture Grants program, equipping chaplains and parachurches with Bibles to offer to many such as those recovering from natural disasters, Christian Religious Instruction students, the Australian Defence Force and more. May hearts be open to God's word, especially in times of crisis, leading to transformation and growth in faith. Let's also pray for empowerment, wisdom, and encouragement for missionaries, chaplains, and Bible educatorsas they share and teach the Scriptures. Let us also thank God for families engaging their children in Christian Religious Instruction; pray for students to be grounded in God's word and guided by biblical values throughout their lives. Remote and Indigenous Ministry

Let us lift up prayers for the Remote and Indigenous Ministry Support initiatives. Thank God for the ongoing support for Indigenous Bible translation, journeying alongside our Indigenous brothers and sisters. Pray for our Bible translators, asking the Holy Spirit to guide them in translating God's message clearly. Pray for blessings upon the distribution of the Noongar audio Bibles and more opportunities for recording Scripture in Indigenous languages. Let us also pray for the publishing efforts to foster Bible engagement and for communities to be empowered to share God's love with others. Finally, let us pray for the fruitful distribution of resources across the country, that they may achieve God's purposes and bring about spiritual growth.

Auslan Bible Project

Let us pray for the ongoing translation work in the Auslan Bible project made for the people in the Australian Deaf community. Pray for wisdom for the team as they chart the way forward developing resources for Deaf communities and churches throughout Australia. Pray that as they establish connections with Deaf communities nationwide, they will build effective resources that will engage this community with God’s word.

Will you help Open The Bible to people in Australia of all backgrounds, ages, ethnicities, and languages across the nation?

Your giving today will advance the work of Bible translation and publication in Australian Indigenous languages, support the Auslan Bible project, and fund Bible Society Australia’s Scripture Grants program which offers Bibles to parachurches, chaplains, schools and more.

Donate today at biblesociety.org.au/sow

Where Needed Most

Bible Society Australia (BSA) is committed to raising funds for a broad scope of Bible projects worldwide in 2024. These projects include Australian and International initiatives that are locally led by Bible Societies and other partner organisations, all with the common goal — to champion the Bible for all people.

Bible Society Australia is a deductible gift recipient (DGR) in Australia and is registered to receive tax-deductible gifts or donations. Yet not all of these projects are tax-deductible.

Tax-deductible projects

Tax-deductible donations help to fund projects such as International Bible-based Literacy programs, Australian Indigenous projects (where Indigenous language and culture are preserved), distribution of Bibles for Public School Scripture and the Australian Defence Force, as well as the Auslan Bible project.

Projects that are also tax-deductible include international projects that incorporate benevolent relief work. Bible Society Australia is determined to be a Public Benevolent Institution by the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC). Work for the relief of poverty or distress, such as sickness, disability, destitution, suffering, misfortune or helplessness, is tax-deductible. This includes projects that include humanitarian aid and trauma healing beyond the suffering experienced as part of ordinary daily life. These projects are usually in places scarred by disaster or conflict, such as Syria and Jordan.

Non tax-deductible projects

Not every project is eligible for tax-deductibility. But every project does the vital work of helping more people to Open The Bible. Non tax-deductible projects include International Bible Distribution, Bible translation and Advocacy work, as well as Australian Chaplaincy and Parachurch Scripture Grants.

Make an impact where it’s needed most!

Gifts and donations that are given to BSA’s ‘Where Needed Most’ funding, will be prioritised to meet all under-funded projects, from emergency needs to advocacy, Bible engagement, Bible translation and more. Support for 'Where Needed Most' provides the most flexibility and fastest response to projects that are most in need.

Of course, donations to non tax-deductible ‘Where Needed Most’ projects will only go to fund non tax-deductible projects. Support for tax-deductible ‘Where Needed Most’ projects will only fund taxdeductible projects.

You can view the projects that we are supporting in Our Works page at:

biblesociety.org.au/our-work

Bible Society Australia is committed to raising funds for a broad scope of Bible projects worldwide in 2024. These projects include Australian and International initiatives that are locally led by Bible Societies and other partner organisations, all with the common goal — to champion the Bible for all people.

Bible Society Australia is a deductible gift recipient (DGR) in Australia and is registered to receive tax-deductible gifts or donations. Yet not all of these proj

As 2023 ended, Bible Society Australia supported the Bible Society in Israel, the Arab Israeli Bible Society, and the Palestinian Bible Society to provide practical and spiritual relief to their communities, sharing the hope of Jesus.

“At this time of our lives, there is a lot of despair, pain, and sadness,” said Dina from the Arab Israeli Bible Society. “[We] pondered how God would respond if he were present, seeking to combat darkness through the principles of the Kingdom of God. As Christians, we abstain from taking sides; our allegiance is to Christ. To share spiritual tools for healing, reconciliation, love and hope ...”

Bible Society Australia, along with other global Bible Societies, supported three emergency projects:

• Palestinian Bible Society assisted 88 families from the Jenin refugee camp with food packages, including Christian Scriptures for 14 families.

• The Bible Society in Israel aided 3,000 evacuees from Gaza with necessity items and distributed 8,785 Bibles and Scripture portions.

Bible Society was able to support this work in a time of great need due to generous donors contributing to BSA's ‘Where Needed Most’ fund.

Equipping Bible translators in Papua New Guinea

In Papua New Guinea (PNG), the Bible Society continues its vital support for Bible translation efforts in seven language groups: Magi, Vula’a, Motu, Pa, Aekyom, Gogodala, and Yuna, potentially impacting 200,000 people.

Translating the word of God into their native languages will establish a strong foundation for community and family life amidst rapid societal changes. This translation work will also pave the way for additional initiatives such as Bible-based literacy programs.

Bible Society PNG is offering financial, material, and hands-on assistance. Translation Consultants are leading training workshops and providing equipped Translation Centre facilities.

In 2023, Bible translators remained deeply engaged with Scripture, which significantly impacted their lives. Key achievements include:

• 17 translators trained in the use of Bible translation software for their mother tongue projects.

• 10 Old Testament books typeset for the Yuna language, scheduled for publication in 2024.

• Approval of two back translations for the Magi and Vula'a projects.

In 2024, solar energy and computer equipment will be supplied to rural projects, with training workshops, reviews, and consultant activities also planned.

Have faith, things may end beautifully.

CPX Senior Fellow, Barney Zwartz writes for The Age about hope in the face of the Gaza/Ukraine wars, poverty, and injustice.

The only Christian doctrine confirmed on the front pages of the newspapers every day is that of original sin. That is so right back to the invention of newspapers – whether dated to the 16th century or news sheets in ancient Rome.

And there is plenty of evidence, as always, this week: destruction in Israel/Gaza, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, famine, persecution, poverty – they

are always with us. How can anyone who pays attention not be overwhelmed? When terrible things happen in the world, people may question their faith.

And how can we explain it? The theological discussion – how can an all-good, all-powerful God allow such suffering – is called theodicy, and although religions offer various explanations and

suggestions, none is entirely successful because our understanding is finite. The non-religious can offer no explanation at all, other than “s— happens” or “we need more education”.

Where for me, as a Christian, the Bible helps not in explaining suffering but in enduring it – and knowing that this too shall pass.

The Bible has much to say about injustice and exploitation, and about God’s care for the suffering, and this is especially true in the Psalms – ancient Israel’s theology sung, not spoken –which records us talking to God rather than the other way round.

In Psalm 37, King David writes: “Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither.” He also says: “Refrain from anger

and turn from wrath; do not fret – it leads only to evil” and that the vindication of those who trust in the Lord will be like the noonday sun.

Since it was patently obvious to David, as it is to us, that the powerful tend to triumph in this life, David must refer to justice beyond the grave. I know this idea infuriates many nonbelievers (once including me), who regard it as “pie in the sky when we die”.

But it should not: the conviction of eventual justice has not stopped Christians fighting for it in daily life over the centuries and today.

Barney Zwartz is a Senior Fellow at The Centre for Public Christianity. This article first appeared in The Sunday Age

Rob’s story Called to chaplaincy

“I was raised in a faith-based home. As a young person I had a knowledge of God, but I didn’t have a heart relationship with Jesus. Then, at age sixteen, I developed bone cancer in my left leg. The only way to treat it was to amputate my leg five inches above the knee.

I went from being a normal, able-bodied kid, running around, to facing a life-threatening illness. I remember lying in bed, straight after the amputation, not knowing if I would live or die, and calling out to God, saying, ‘Okay God, if you’re out there, I need you now.’

It was as if God actually heard my prayer! I experienced an incredible feeling of inner peace and warmth. It was a new strength inside me that I hadn’t felt before.

Afterwards, they were concerned I would develop secondaries in my lungs or liver, so I had 18 months of intravenous chemotherapy. It was really traumatic. I remember thinking that if the cancer didn’t kill me, the chemo would!

After school, depression set in. What could I do now? In terms of my faith, there wasn’t much there, except that early cry out.

But my cousin came to visit me. He was a Christian, and we were close. He said that during

my time in hospital his youth group had been praying for me. I thought, maybe God answered those prayers? Maybe that was the peace and strength I experienced in hospital?

But I was also angry with God and questioning. Why had this happened to me?

I started going to youth group with my cousin, and that was when I started to understand sin. I realised I needed Jesus as my Saviour, not just for my physical need.

I turned 21, and it was the 5-year mark since my cancer diagnosis. The routine scans showed that I was all clear. There was no cancer. Something happened in my spirit in that moment. It was completely transformative. I started to thank God. I was still alive! Previously I’d been given a 20% chance of survival, but I was alive!

I asked God to forgive me, and I invited Jesus into my life as my Lord and Saviour. I prayed, “For the rest of my life, let it count for you. Let me serve you, Lord, with everything I have.”

Within a year, I was off doing mission work with YWAM. I met my wife, Julie, there. We have two sons, Michael and Jason. I went to Bible college. It was during that time that I knew my calling was to chaplaincy. It was my heart and drive and

passion. I’d seen the spiritual side of life being a crucial part of a person’s recovery. I had found my hope and strength in Jesus, and I knew others needed that same hope.

I’ve now been working with Mission Australia for 28 years; as a chaplain for 24. It’s been my calling. So many people out there are hurting, and we need to bring them the love of Christ. At Mission Australia, amongst other things, we run short-term crisis accommodation for men who are homeless. They often have a background of drugs and alcohol, or they’ve come out of prison.

I started running a weekly session called ‘Coffee with the Chaplain’. We just chat, or we share a devotional or a prayer. It’s been great. Many of the men have shared with me. And I’ve noticed that as I’ve listened, and sometimes shared my story with them, there are points of connection. They see that I understand grief and trauma.

They want to keep talking. It’s God at work in their lives.

Most of them have had a previous encounter with a chaplain in prison or in rehab, so they’ve had an opportunity to come to know Jesus. They want to keep growing in their understanding of Jesus. That’s what I love about chaplaincy! It’s about how Jesus works in our lives over time.

Of course, there are hard days. But I know my strength is in Christ. The verse I hold on to is 2 Corinthians 12:9, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’

God’s answer for me is always about his grace. He says his power works best in weakness –which kind of sums up how I get by each day. It’s his grace.”

Bible Society Australia Group has made the difficult decision to end Eternity News in its current form. This means that effective 30 April 2024, the Eternity News print magazine, website, and weekly newsletter, along with the Eternity Jobs website, will cease.

We praise God for how Eternity News has impacted the Australian Christian landscape and encouraged readers over the years. We thank our readers and those who have contributed to Eternity News for their past support.

In the coming weeks, join us on our website and social media channels as we reminisce over the unforgettable stories and memories of Eternity. Explore all content on the Eternity News website before we bid farewell to this chapter.

For further details about this decision, please visit our website at eternitynews.com.au/announcement

Developing Spiritual Resilience

Pastor and academic, Adam Dodds shows us that our spiritual resilience is enormously affected by our core beliefs about God, the world, and our own self-identity. The goal of these devotions is to strengthen our spiritual resilience by helping nudge our core beliefs into greater alignment with biblical truth. Adam's book, Resilient: Spiritual Formation For Mind and Heart, is available to order at Koorong.

Day 1

1 Corinthians 9:24-25 (NIV)

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.

The Christian life is not about sheer willpower. The ‘strict training’ the apostle Paul refers to is learning to cooperate with God’s grace (see also 1 Cor. 15:10).

Author Dallas Willard explains, “Grace is God acting in our lives to bring about what we do not deserve and cannot accomplish on our own. But we are not passive in this process.” How do we cooperate in this process? By doing activities that are within our ability, God graciously grows our capacity to do things we cannot accomplish by ‘just trying’. The activity that is the focus for these daily devotions is examining our core beliefs.

What do you really believe about God’s character, the nature of the world, and the cross of Christ? Central to developing spiritual resilience is growing these heart-beliefs in accordance with biblical truth. As you embrace and interiorise truth, you will experience greater freedom and transformation.

Prayer:

Father, you have already lavished your grace on us in Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Now lead me to grow in cooperating with your grace. As I examine my core beliefs would you shine your light into dark places, reveal blind spots and misbeliefs, so that I can grow in the knowledge of the truth.

Day 2

Ephesians 6:11-12 (NIV)

Put on the full armour of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Crucial to attaining victory is knowing our adversary’s tactics. In 2 Corinthians 2:11, Paul writes so ‘that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.’ We see the enemy’s tactic in Genesis 3. First, Satan (the serpent) sows doubt and confusion in Eve’s mind. Then, second, his ultimate goal, he maligns God’s character (Genesis 3:5). In other words, Satan is saying ‘Eating from that tree will be good for you. God knows this and has forbidden it. God does not have your best interests at heart. God cannot be trusted.’ Satan’s tactic is undermining your confidence in God’s trustworthiness.

Prayer:

Dear Father, I am sorry when I entertain thoughts that you are not trustworthy, and I repent of those. I recognise that these thoughts are often the product of the spiritual battle of life, and I refuse to combine my thoughts with those the enemy is proposing. Please solidify my confidence that you, God, look exactly like Jesus, and are good all the way down.

Day 3

Hebrews 1:1-3a (NIV)

In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word.

People have many different ideas about what God is like. But God has defined what he’s like in the person of Jesus. Colossians 2:9 says all of God’s fullness dwelt in Jesus. When one of Jesus’ disciples asked to see God the Father, Jesus replied, ‘Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father’ (John 14:9).

Read the gospels. Look at how Jesus interacted with his disciples, with the sick, with the marginalised, and with those searching for truth. In Jesus we see what God is like. God is trustworthy. God does have our best interests at heart.

Prayer:

Thank you, Father God that you do not want to remain a pure mystery, but in Jesus you have given yourself to be known. Thank you, Lord Jesus, that you truly reveal exactly what God is like, and that this is such good news! Where my heart-picture of you, Lord, is different from what I see in Jesus, would you transform my mind by your Spirit into the true knowledge of God?

Day 4

Numbers 23:20-21 (NKJV)

Behold, I have received a command to bless; He has blessed, and I cannot reverse it. ‘He has not observed iniquity in Jacob, nor has He seen wickedness in Israel. The LORD his God is with him, and the shout of a King is among them.’

Rev Apenisa: Our Bible verse today reminds us afresh that every Word of God is tried. Yes! Every promise of God proves true, and he does protect everyone who run to him for help.

We fall short of God’s command to love him and neighbour with all. There is no denying we have sinned (1 John 1:8). And yet, God does not see any iniquity or wickedness in you. Why? Because you are in Christ in whom is no condemnation (Romans 8:1). Instead, through the wondrous exchange, Christ has become our “righteousness, holiness and redemption” (1 Corinthians 1:30 NIV). Jesus exchanged our sin for his righteousness. Our identity, in Christ, is righteous. Clearly grasping this increases our spiritual resilience. Living righteously is in accord with our true identity. When we sin, confession and repentance realign us with our identity and calling.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, thank you for what you did on the cross. Help me to see myself, to understand my identity, as being in Christ. By your Holy Spirit, help me to live up to what I have already attained (Philippians 3:16), outworking in my life the righteous identity you have already gifted me with.

A public faith.

Demystifying Christianity in the public media for 16 years.

Yes, I want to Open The Bible for Australians!

God's word for Australia (Tax-deductible*) (24SWAUTD)

(Australian Indigenous Bible translation and publishing, Auslan, Audio Bibles, Bibles Grant in schools and the ADF)

God's word for Australia (Non tax-deductible) (24SWAUNTD)

(Scripture Grants Bible Distribution and Bibles for Bubs program)

Billercode: 389148

Please call 1300 242 537 for BPAY Reference Number

If donating by Credit Card, please fill in remaining fields in this section:

can also donate online at www.biblesociety.org.au/sow or by phone on 1300 BIBLES (1300 242 537)

In the event that this appeal is over subscribed, we will use any additional funds to assist similar Bible Society projects. *Receipts for tax-deductible donations of $2 or more will be issued by the trustee for Bible Society Foundation. ABN 41 725 839 724

New Bibles from BSA Publishing, available now!

‘Read

Introducing the ‘Read this’ Bible — a thoughtfully crafted edition tailored for the youth of Australia. Presented in the New Living Translation, this Bible is enriched with additional content, addressing the 'why,' 'when,' 'who,' and 'how' by Australian youth ministry leaders.

New Beginnings Bible

This special Bible is a new Christian’s trusty companion in beginning the Christian life, filled with helpful resources like tips on reading the Bible, introductions to each book, advice on growing as a Christian, and more.

As a Bible Society, we love to champion the Church in her mission to spread the message of hope and salvation to as many people as possible.

Order Bibles today at biblesociety.org.au/newbibles

BIKE FOR BIBLES

Register or support our riders at: BIBLESOCIETY.ORG.AU/QLD24

Join us on the 'Brissie Explorer Ride’ so we can transform lives through literacy! Challenge yourself to ride 400km or 600km and raise funds to support Bible Society's Biblebased Literacy project in Sri Lanka.

WHAT RIDES ARE ON OFFER?

We’ll explore Brisbane over 5 fabulous days, riding between the hinterland and the sea on quiet suburban roads and dedicated bike paths:

Day 1 – Bay Views and Wetlands

Day 2 – Goat Track up the Mountain

Day 3 – Bridges and Points

Day 4 – Three Fingers and a Ferry

Day 5 – Climb and Loop

Optional Day 6 – Brissie to Gold Coast

WHERE ARE WE STAYING?

All rides will start and finish at Ashgrove Baptist Church in Brisbane’s inner west.

WILL YOU HELP US TURN ON THE LIGHT OF LITERACY FOR ANOTHER 10,000 STUDENTS THIS YEAR?

WHEN: 14th - 19th July 2024

COST:

$20 registration and $350 on road costs OR $70 a day

biblesociety.org.au/sower