It was one of those moments!! I’m seated on the front row of our church auditorium Sunday morning as we watched an Operation Christmas Child video. Within seconds I was captivated. There I viewed precious children wearing huge smiles of joy as they received and opened their shoe boxes! Greater still was the testimonies of children who had received Christ as their personal Lord and Savior as a result of this initiative. Then I realized that these children were not only gripping my heart, but it was touching the hearts of many around me. Our church is buzzing with excitement this month as we participate for the first time in OCC!! Missions is the heartbeat of God! Look at the cross and empty tomb.
Prior to the OCC presentation, one our church members shared the good news of God’s working in another missionary endeavor in Salt Lake City, Utah. What a thrill to see and hear the testimonies of children and adults declaring their desire to be publicly identified with Christ in baptism; announcing their decision to follow Christ and be His disciple! One adult, newly saved, walked in off the street, asked to be baptized, and the tank was filled during the morning service so this “Ethiopian treasurer” (Acts 8:26-38) could be obedient to the Lord!! Missions is the heartbeat of God! Look at the cross and empty tomb.
What is missions? In its most direct and simple form, missions is Matthew 28:19-20, Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you . . . . Furthermore, Psalm 96: 3 says, Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples! Also, For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him would not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16). Missions is the heartbeat of God! Look at the cross and empty tomb.
How wonderfully blessed to be a part of a church that is involved in the heartbeat of God! This month, our focus is on Grace Giving Missions, the means whereby we support these and other missionary endeavors each year. My challenge today in this post is really directed to our church family. As you seek the Lord in prayer this week for what He would have you give each month for missions, would you ask yourself this question, “What is my heartbeat for missions?” Before you answer that question, take a long look at the cross (Matthew 27:27-54). Then stand for a while at the empty tomb (Matthew 28:1-10). Do you have God’s heartbeat for missions? Matthew 16:26 says, For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? The Lord placed more value on a man’s soul than the wealth of the world.
I believe those moments like Sunday morning in church are a result of your heart beating like God’s heart because missions is the heartbeat of God!
From A Pastor's Heart 