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THE COST OF MISSIONS!
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 1
Acts 13:13

Luke 9:23-24

 

“For whosoever will save his life

shall lose it…”

 

THE COST OF MISSIONS!
 
In battle, there are casualties, and likewise with missions. There are those who are discouraged along the way and give up. There are also many returnees because they expected missions work to be like a holiday. Today’s trend of short-term missions results in many casualties since they only taste the “honeymoon” stage. They can easily pack their clothes and return home. Certainly, such departures can impact other missionaries and the people in the missions fields.
 
Went away: John Mark left the missions team. The word “departing” (Acts 13:13) has the idea of deserting. This means he quits with a mind not to return to the missions team. “But it is plain, from Acts 15:38, that it was from some cause which was deemed blameworthy, and that his conduct now was such as to make Paul unwilling again to have him as a companion” (Barnes).
 
Went back: He turned back again to Jerusalem instead of going with the team to further regions. It carries the idea of turning away from the mission and returning to the place he came from. Turning back home suggests returning to his comfort zone for fear of the spiritual struggle out there.
 
For every called servant, going for missions must be a decisive act of going without expecting to return home. He must understand that wherever the Lord calls him to be, that place he must call home. As the hymn goes, “What matters where on earth we dwell? On mountain top, or in the dell, in cottage, or a mansion fair, where Jesus is, ‘tis Heaven there. O hallelujah, yes, ‘tis Heav’n, ‘tis Heav’n to know my sins forgiv’n; on land or sea, what matters where? Where Jesus is, ‘tis Heaven there.”
 
Do you hesitate to go for missions because you cannot exchange your flat or condo for a small cottage in a third-world country? Do you feel it is difficult for you to leave your family and relatives behind? Do you think resigning from your job or leaving your business to others is a task too hard to do? Count the cost!
 
THOUGHT: Am I willing to take up my cross to follow Jesus?

PRAYER: Father, strengthen me as I endeavour to serve Thee.

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