The Sound Words of God
Hello everyone, my name is Samuel. I am 22 this year and currently in my second year of university studying Geography in the UK. This also marks my second year away from home.
Living overseas means I cannot physically attend Morning Worship or YPG, which are my fondest memories of Bethany. However, with the web ministry, I am thankful that I am able to keep in touch with the broadcast of Pastor’s Morning Worship Service messages, which I listen to alongside the messages preached at All Souls; the church I attend in the UK.
Even so, the exposure to other churches was one of the biggest challenges I faced in my first year overseas. I met other Christian brothers and sisters whilst attending church and fellowship groups in the UK, but their different understandings of and approaches towards faith made me fear being led astray from the truth by false doctrines and secular teachings. Despite these concerns, I sought to turn back to the Lord, who redirected me to the lessons I had been learning in Bethany.
Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.
(II Timothy 1:13-14)
This was Paul’s challenge to Timothy to hold fast to the sound words from the scriptures. And Bethany stands on this truth, which I find deeply comforting despite being miles away for most of the year. The Lord has given good and sound things to hide in my heart, which are faith and the Holy Spirit. My response is to hold fast to this faith and I pray that the Lord will continue to redirect my focus to Him and rely on the strength that comes from the Holy Spirit. Furthermore, as I commit the sound words of God to heart, I also find the confidence to share them as I interact with my friends and parents.
As the next phase of university gets underway, I recognise that there will be new challenges I have to face and desires that steer me away from the Lord’s word. Yet despite all this, my goal is to keep that focus on the Lord’s sound words, which help me strengthen my faith and discover more of His truth as His servant.
Written by Samuel Mok