Missions

John the Apostle enjoyed a close relationship with the Lord Jesus. At the Last Supper, he was reclining at the table next to Jesus. Later, of all of the disciples, he was the only one specifically mentioned as being present at the Crucifixion. After Christ’s resurrection, it was John who identified Him on the shores of the Sea of Galilee.

Few people knew that William Borden was a millionaire. As the manager of much wealth, he still chose to dress nicely but simply. Meanwhile, he quietly wrote checks to Bible societies and mission works that amounted to thousands of dollars, but his gifts were always given in secret.

If Joseph asked you why God allowed him to be sold into slavery by his own brothers; to be torn from his family and home; to be falsely accused by the wife of his Egyptian master, to whom he had been loyal and devoted; and to be unjustly imprisoned and ignored, how might you answer?

Seven-year-old William Bradford stood over the grave of his mother in the little village of Austerfield in the hills of Yorkshire, England. Having previously lost his father when he was a baby, young William was now alone in the world. Few would have supposed that this orphaned boy would amount to anything.

While teaching English in faraway Japan, the twenty-three-year-old American professor sat at his desk one day, intently writing a letter to his mother. Howard Walter wanted to encourage her with the vision statement he had written for his life. His mother had influenced him greatly by the habits of dependability and service she had instilled in him as a young child. Weeks later in America, his mother eagerly opened his letter. Enclosed was his poem of three stanzas, titled “My Creed.” She rejoiced as she read the poem which stated her son’s strong convictions! The proud mother promptly sent a copy of her son’s poem to Harper’s Magazine. “My Creed” was published in the May 1909 issue. I would be true, for there are those who trust me;I would be pure, for there are those who care.I would be strong, for there is much to suffer;I would be brave, for there is much to dare. Who was the young man behind these penned affirmations? Howard Walter was born in 1883. He graduated from Princeton University, then journeyed to Tokyo to teach English at Waseda University. Fulfilling his one-year commitment there, Mr. Walter came home, attended seminary, and afterward served as […]

More than 100 years ago, northern India was a very superstitious region. Following a great revival in Wales, Welsh missionaries journeyed to the Assam area in northeast India to bring the Gospel to tribes of idol-worshipping headhunters. In one village, one of those fierce headhunters listened to a missionary, and his heart grasped the Good News of Christ. Not only did he believe, but his wife and two sons also became Christians. As the redeemed man eagerly shared his newfound faith with other villagers, they, too, became believers!  The changes among his people infuriated the village chief. Summoning all the villagers, the chief angrily addressed the first convert among the tribe: “Renounce your faith, or be killed!” Moved by the Holy Spirit, the man replied: “I have decided to follow Jesus. No turning back.” The incensed chief next ordered his archers to kill the man’s young sons. Then he harshly demanded, “Will you deny your faith? You have lost both your children. You will lose your wife, too.” The man solemnly spoke: “Though no one joins me, still I will follow.No turning back.” Furious, the chief then ordered the man’s wife be killed. Within minutes, she joined her two sons […]

Believers know that God’s Word is living and active and able to pierce men’s hearts. While the Holy Spirit uses His Word to convict men of sin, righteousness, and judgment, He sometimes uses other means as well. Such was the case of Edward Perronet’s hymn, “All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name.”  Several hundred years ago, India was an unreached land, filled with unknown dangers. Yet, missionaries bravely ventured into its depths to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In cities, priests and temple leaders of the demonic religions put up fierce opposition. In the wild, the tribes of headhunters dwelt in spiritual darkness, threatening those who would come near. Still, missionaries continued to travel to this pagan country, hoping to bring the Good News. Reverend E. P. Scott was one such brave missionary. After ministering in India for seven years in the villages, he one day encountered a tribesman from the wild. The Holy Spirit filled the missionary’s heart to go to the man’s tribe. When Reverend Scott announced his decision to visit the savage tribe, his friends begged him not to go. However, he knew he must. After several days of strenuous hiking, Reverend Scott suddenly found himself […]

The hymn writer Reginald Heber was a young boy when he came to know Jesus as his Savior. Being very bright, he learned to read before the age of five. One of his favorite books was about the famous Christian martyr, Henry Martyn. Martyn’s life and death impacted the Reverend Heber. He had great respect for those who would endure years of pain and suffering, loneliness and frustration, all in order to hold to God’s truth and to share that truth with others. Reverend Heber wrote about such martyrs who endured for the cause of Christ in his hymn “The Son of God Goes Forth”:   The Son of God goes forth to war,A kingly crown to gain;His blood-red banner streams afar:Who follows in His train?Who best can drink his cup of woe,Triumphant over pain,Who patient bears his cross below,He follows in His train.  The phrase “follows in His train” is repeated several times in the hymn. A train is the long, flowing portion of a king’s robe that trails behind him as he ascends his throne. Those who “follow in his train” are the ones committed to the king and his cause. They will courageously endure whatever necessary to […]

One Sunday afternoon, a woman walked into New York state’s Sing Sing prison. Her purpose was to lead a religious service for the imprisoned women. Sing Sing was a high-security prison that reputedly held the worst criminals. As she entered, the visitor heard the loud clunk of the heavy steel door lock securely behind her. Before her, the female inmates gathered in the hallway to attend the religious service.  Hateful tension existed between the guards and the incarcerated women. On this particular afternoon, a guard gave a harsh order which sparked the prisoners’ anger. Instantly, they reacted! Long-standing bitterness and fury flamed to the surface, and within moments a riot broke out! Hastily, the desperate guard called for reinforcements. The revolting prisoners proved difficult to subdue. Quickly the uprising escalated!  Suddenly, over the noisy cursing and shouting, a voice clearly sang out these words:  Yield not to temptation For yielding is sin,Each vict’ry will help you Some other to win;Fight manfully onward, Dark passions subdue,Look ever to Jesus—He will carry you through.  The rioters paused to hear the words. Other voices joined in. The singing grew louder and stronger. Shouting ceased as more prisoners began to sing.  Shun evil companions, […]

The missionary stared at the letter in his hand. In the 1800s, the Gospel was spreading in China, but travel was difficult and the work was hard. In some areas, the Chinese vehemently rejected foreigners and threatened their lives. The letter Hudson Taylor held in his hand reported that riots were occurring in two missions in the region. A coworker was present when the letter arrived. As he moved toward the door to leave Mr. Taylor with the letter, he heard the soft whistling of the hymn “Jesus, I Am Resting, Resting.” Surprised, the coworker turned around and asked Mr. Taylor, “How can you whistle, when our friends are in so much danger?” Hudson Taylor looked up. Calmly he replied: “Would you have me anxious and troubled? That would not help them, and would certainly incapacitate me for my work. I just have to roll the burden onto the Lord.” “Rolling his burden upon the Lord” was a demonstration of Hudson Taylor’s faith. Other missionaries reported seeing him oftentimes playing on a little reed organ and softly singing this hymn. How­ever, “resting” had not always been his practice. Mr. Taylor founded the China Inland Mission in 1865. However, after four-and-a-half […]

Music ministry is one avenue of hospitality! Harper G. Smyth is an excellent example of someone who used his musical talent to bring spiritual refreshment to others.  When he had completed his musical training in New York, Mr. Smyth became a performing member of the prestigious Metropolitan Opera House. After performing for two years, he left the Opera House. He then traveled to Indianapolis, and later to Atlanta, to direct church choirs. Mr. Smyth also served as the song leader for one of D. L. Moody’s key evangelists who ministered at the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago. The music minister’s strong voice led the crowd in singing, preparing their hearts to hear the Gospel. He enthusiastically fulfilled his task, thrilled to know he was preparing people to receive spiritual refreshment. Indeed, his music ministry was a form of Christian hospitality.  Ten years after his ministry at the World’s Fair, Mr. Smyth wrote the hymn “Make Me a Channel of Blessing.” The words clearly expressed his life’s desire and drive: Is your life a channel of blessing?Is the love of God flowing through you?Are you telling the lost of the Savior?Are you ready His service to do? Later, Mr. Smyth moved […]

Boldness is the fearless and daring courage to carry out the work God calls us to do. When God commanded Joshua to “be of good courage,” he was being told to have boldness—boldness to face death in battle, to speak truth to his own heart and to the nation, and to do great exploits for God.

Compassion is a practical expression of genuine love, and all believers are commanded to have love toward each other and toward others. The larger our hearts, the more compassion we will have.

When we experience abuse from others, our natural response is to strike back. Pride prompts us to return hurt for hurt and insult for insult. However, God instructs us to love our enemies.

Jesus said, “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15). What are these commandments, and what does it mean to “keep” them? We cannot keep (observe, remember, and apply) Christ’s commands without first knowing what they are.

When you’ve been wronged, becoming bitter toward your offender is natural and seems like the way to get revenge. However, this response actually harms you more than it harms your offender! To be bitter is to be in bondage to hatred and wrath.