Isaiah 55:1-3 (ESV)
"Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters;
and he who has no money,
Come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without price.
Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread,
and your labor for that which does not satisfy?
Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good,
and delight yourselves in rich food.
Incline your ear, and come to me;
hear, that your soul may live;
and I will make with you an everlasting covenant,
my steadfast, sure love for David."
It was inspiring to learn of how ordinary Christians in Vietnam and Myanmar reach out to the needy in spite of the lack of resources last Sunday. "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." Three reflections from our missionary
speaker's sermon ring particularly true in my heart.
Firstly, we are invited to thirst for more of God. Do not waste your life pursuing dreams of happiness that don't rise above a pay check, nice car, fun vacations, successful marriage, comfortable retirement and painless death. There is nothing inherently wrong with all that. But we are too easily satisfied if that's all it
amounts to.
Our hearts are restless until they find rest in the covenant relationship that God offers. It is an abundant life of meaning and quality that truly satisfies. The invitation is extended freely, without cost. Yet it is not cheap, for Christ paid for it and His grace demands full obedience.
Secondly, there's the call to passionately seek God's purpose. Whether you are a student dreaming to do something radical with your life or retired and hoping to maximize the years ahead; you could play a significant role in God's global agenda for the nations. God could raise a humble shepherd boy to establish the Kingdom if he
would chase after God's own heart.
The believers in Vietnam had to change their outreach strategies quickly to stay ahead of the authorities. While we are thankful for the relative liberty in Malaysia, we could also creatively seek new ways to meet needs and reach the community
around us.
Lastly, he challenged us to let go of "great pleasures for greater pleasures". If we romanticize missions, we set ourselves up for disappointment. The sacrifice would be costly, the task is hard, even dangerous but our joy would be full. Jesus said, "Whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it."
Our speaker related the story of how a church saw and met the needs of poor villagers coming to the city for medical treatment. The costly strain of ministry turned many wealthier members away. However their perseverance bore fruits when the
villagers went home and started new communities of faith. When we are swept up in the waves of God's purpose, we can't escape a wounded life, but we can avoid a wasted life.
Are you hungry today? Is our lack of appetite a result of having feasted at the Lord's table? Or have we nibbled too long at the fleeting leftovers of worldly pleasures? May we share in the all-surpassing gift of knowing Christ and letting Him known among the
nations!
The identity of our speaker has been kept confidential in order to avoid jeopardizing the work of frontier missions in restricted areas.
"Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters;
and he who has no money,
Come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without price.
Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread,
and your labor for that which does not satisfy?
Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good,
and delight yourselves in rich food.
Incline your ear, and come to me;
hear, that your soul may live;
and I will make with you an everlasting covenant,
my steadfast, sure love for David."
It was inspiring to learn of how ordinary Christians in Vietnam and Myanmar reach out to the needy in spite of the lack of resources last Sunday. "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." Three reflections from our missionary
speaker's sermon ring particularly true in my heart.
Firstly, we are invited to thirst for more of God. Do not waste your life pursuing dreams of happiness that don't rise above a pay check, nice car, fun vacations, successful marriage, comfortable retirement and painless death. There is nothing inherently wrong with all that. But we are too easily satisfied if that's all it
amounts to.
Our hearts are restless until they find rest in the covenant relationship that God offers. It is an abundant life of meaning and quality that truly satisfies. The invitation is extended freely, without cost. Yet it is not cheap, for Christ paid for it and His grace demands full obedience.
Secondly, there's the call to passionately seek God's purpose. Whether you are a student dreaming to do something radical with your life or retired and hoping to maximize the years ahead; you could play a significant role in God's global agenda for the nations. God could raise a humble shepherd boy to establish the Kingdom if he
would chase after God's own heart.
The believers in Vietnam had to change their outreach strategies quickly to stay ahead of the authorities. While we are thankful for the relative liberty in Malaysia, we could also creatively seek new ways to meet needs and reach the community
around us.
Lastly, he challenged us to let go of "great pleasures for greater pleasures". If we romanticize missions, we set ourselves up for disappointment. The sacrifice would be costly, the task is hard, even dangerous but our joy would be full. Jesus said, "Whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it."
Our speaker related the story of how a church saw and met the needs of poor villagers coming to the city for medical treatment. The costly strain of ministry turned many wealthier members away. However their perseverance bore fruits when the
villagers went home and started new communities of faith. When we are swept up in the waves of God's purpose, we can't escape a wounded life, but we can avoid a wasted life.
Are you hungry today? Is our lack of appetite a result of having feasted at the Lord's table? Or have we nibbled too long at the fleeting leftovers of worldly pleasures? May we share in the all-surpassing gift of knowing Christ and letting Him known among the
nations!
The identity of our speaker has been kept confidential in order to avoid jeopardizing the work of frontier missions in restricted areas.
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