JURONG OUTREACH - APR 06

RICH MAN - POOR MAN
2 Apr 06

One day the father of a very wealthy family took his son on a trip to the country with the firm purpose of showing his son how poor people live. They spent a couple of days and nights on the farm of what would be considered a very poor family. On their return from their trip, the father asked his son, "How was the trip?"

"It was great, Dad."
"Did you see how poor people live?" the father asked.
"Oh yes," said the son.
"So, tell me, what did you learn from the trip?" asked the father.

The son answered: "Well, I saw that we have one dog and they had four. We have a pool that reaches to the middle of our garden and they have a creek that has no end. We have imported lanterns in our garden and they have the stars at night. Our patio reaches to the front yard and they have the whole horizon. We have a small piece of land to live on and they have fields that go beyond our sight. We have servants who serve us, but they serve others. We buy our food, but they grow theirs. We have walls around our property to protect us, they are surrounded by friends."

The boy's father was speechless! Then his son added, "Thanks dad for showing me just how poor we really are."

Wealth! It is all a matter of perspective, isn’t it?

Try THIS perspective: you may be very POOR materially, but if you have Christ, you are RICH indeed! The Apostle Paul wrote these encouraging words to Christians: "Therefore let no one boast in men. For ALL things are yours: whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas, or the world or life or death, or things present or things to come; ALL are yours. And you are Christ's, and Christ is God's" (1 Corinthians 3:21-23).  If one belongs to Christ, ALL things belong to him!

"When God "adopts" you into His family, you become His child! "The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we ARE children of God, and IF CHILDREN - THEN HEIRS; heirs of God and "joint heirs" with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together" (Romans 8:16-17).

Christ adopts us into His family when we: place our trust in Him (Hebrews 11:6), repent of our sins (2 Corinthians 7:9-10), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10) and are baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of our sins (Acts 2:38). As long as we remain faithful as His children: we will continue to enjoy the spiritual riches that are found in Christ (Ephesians 1:3).

Hear the words of Jesus; "Do NOT lay up for yourselves TREASURES ON EARTH, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves TREASURES IN HEAVEN, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Matthew 6:19-21).

How will YOU respond to His love and generosity?

Jesus is the source of TRUE and LASTING riches!  Now from YOUR perspective, how "RICH" are you?

God longs to adopt you into His family so that He can bless you with TRUE, spiritual riches.  

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Why should I say “I can’t” when the Bible says I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength (Philippians 4:13)?

Why should I lack when God supplies all my needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19)?

Why should I fear when God has not given me a spirit of fear, but of power, love and sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7)?

Why should I be weak when the Lord is the strength of my life (Psalm 27:1; Daniel 11:32)?

Why should I feel like a failure when I am a conqueror in all things through Christ (Romans 8:37)?

MONEY, MONEY, MONEY by Roger D. Campbell
9 Apr 06

Tiny children are often fascinated with money because it is shiny and small enough to go into their mouths. Then, kids reach the point when they understand that money has the power to buy things. That is a new reason for them to like money. Later, in their teenage years their thinking can be dominated by a desire to possess money in order to impress others or to buy things that dad and mom won’t buy for them. As adults, well, a lot of adults are still fond of money. Money in and of itself possesses no moral qualities. Money is neither righteous nor unrighteous. Money is an inanimate object, a means or tool to help humans obtain something else. It is one’s attitude toward money or riches that counts. In order to help us keep a handle on our attitude, we offer the following six truthful statements about money. May they serve as a reminder and warning to all of us.

(1) Money cannot buy love. Way back in the 1960s the Beatles were singing, “I don’t care too much for money, 'cause money can’t buy me love.” It was true then, and it is still true now. Money may impress folks and attract them to a money-possessing person, but money cannot buy genuine love. Young people, are you listening?

(2) Money doesn’t grow on trees. How many times did we hear our parents tell us that when we wanted something that we could not afford? Because it is true that money does not grow on trees and we cannot have it at the snap of our fingers, then we need to be good stewards with the funds that God has placed in our hands (1 Corinthians 4:2). Our Lord says, “Owe no man anything” (Romans 13:8). Christians ought not to use credit cards to the extent that they get themselves into debt that they cannot pay off.

(3) Money is not the root of all evil, but the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil (1 Timothy 6:10). The love of money is covetousness, and covetousness is idolatry (Colossians 3:5). Such a love affair with material riches has ruined friendships, marriages, and even congregations. How sad.

(4) Money never has and never will save a soul. Money can be used to help support the preaching of the Gospel (2 Corinthians 11:8, 9). It is also an instrument that assists us in edifying the faithful, but still, money cannot save souls.

(5) Money will not accompany us when we leave this world. Regardless of how much money one has, the money stays behind—you can’t take it with you. “For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out” (1 Timothy 6:7).

(6) Money is not success, and success is not possessing money. Oh, if we could only help folks, including ourselves at times, see this point! Some rich people will go to hell. Some poor folks will go to heaven. One’s eternal destiny is not determined by his/her financial status. You want success, you say? Then listen carefully to what the Lord once told Joshua: “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success” (Joshua 1:8). THAT is true success.

Let each of us resolve to accept the truth about money, and in the process beware of “the deceitfulness of riches” (Mark 4:19).

—Roger D. Campbell

A merry heart doeth good..." —Proverbs 17

A little boy was asked to say the prayer before dinner. He thanked God for each of his friends, naming them one by one. He then thanked God for each family member, from his parents to his brothers and sisters, his grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Then he gave thanks for the ham, the mashed potatoes, the corn, the green beans, the salad, the bread, the butter, the pickles, and even the salt and the pepper. Then came a long pause, and everyone waited and waited. Finally, the little fellow looked up at his mother and asked, “If I thank God for the broccoli, won’t He know that I’m lying?” (Read 1 John 3:20.)

How About the Grownups?

“Daddy, I want to ask you a question,” said little Bobby after his first day in Sunday school. “Yes, Bobby, what is it? “The teacher was reading the Bible to us, all about the children of Israel building the temple, the children of Israel crossing the Red Sea, the children of Israel making sacrifices. Didn’t the grown-ups do anything?”

HOW TO PRAY
16 Apr 07

When we pray we have to pay attention mainly to our approach and attitude. Remember the 4 S when we pray:- Sincerity, Solitude, Simplicity & Security.

1) Sincerity
The greatest form of humility and genuine sincerity must be demonstrated when we pray to God. Anything less is hypocrisy. In prayer, we are to forget ourselves and others and to concentrate on God, to feel and know who God is: (Ps 86:11-12 & 1 Sam 16:7)

2) Solitude
Free from disturbance, distraction and prying eyes. (Gen 24:63) And Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the eventide: and he lifted up his eyes, and saw, and, behold, the camels were coming.  (Matt 14:23) And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.

3) Simplicity
When the heart is stirred, our dependence of God is greatest.  We have no time for flowery phrases. (Ecc 5:2)  Sometimes, just a few simple words, can tell the deep desires of our hearts. (Mtt 14:30) 3 little words: “Lord, save me” (Lk 23:42) 7 words: “Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom” (Lk 23:42) 8 words: “Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit” Do we think we can impress God with our flowery speeches or will He be touched with our simple straight forward request from the heart? Even human are not impressed by overly flowery words.

4) Security
We have to pray with confidence. That the Lord hears us and is able to deliver what He has promised. Knowing that It is not wrong to ask for something if it is not wrong to want it.  (Jn 14:13) And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. Be confident and be brave to ask God for anything, it is our privilege for being a child of God. (Lk 18:1, Ep 3:20, Heb 4:16)

The fingers on your hands can help you remember who to pray for:
1. Your thumb is nearest to you. Begin your prayers by praying for those closest to you. They are the easiest to remember. To pray for our loved ones is a “sweet duty.”
2. The next finger is the pointing finger. Pray for those who teach, instruct, and heal. This includes teachers, doctors, ministers, and our elders. They need wisdom in pointing others in the right direction. Keep them in your prayers..
3. The next finger is the tallest finger. It reminds us of our secular leaders. Pray for our president and congress, leaders in business and industry, and administrators. These people shape our nation and guide public opinion.
4. The fourth finger is our ring finger. Surprising to many is the fact that this is our weakest finger; as any piano teacher will explain, it should remind us to pray for those who are weak, in trouble, or in pain. They need your prayers day and night. You cannot pray too much for them.
5. Last comes the little finger; the smallest finger of all. This is where we should place ourselves in relation to God and others. As the Bible says, “The least shall be the greatest among you.” Your pinkie should remind you to pray for yourself. By the time you have prayed for the other four groups, your own needs will be put into proper perspective and you will be able to pray for yourself more effectively.

Ever wonder about the abbreviation A.S.A.P.? It brings to mind hurry and stress-- “Get this done as soon as possible.” Let’s give it a new meaning to better deal with those rough days along the way.

There’s work to do, deadlines to meet. You’ve got no time to spare, but as you hurry and scurry—

A.S.A.P. (Always Say A Prayer).
In the midst of family chaos, “quality time” is rare. Do your best; let God do the rest—

A.S.A.P. (Always Say A Prayer).
It may seem like your worries are more than you can bear. Slow down and take a breather—

A.S.A.P. (Always Say A Prayer).
God knows how stressful life is; He wants to ease our care. He’ll respond to all our needs—

A.S.A.P. (Always Say A Prayer).

TEN COMMANDMENTS OF HUMAN RELATIONS
23 Apr 06

1. Thou Shalt Love People, Not Just Use Them

(Mt. 22:39). And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. The greatest thing in the world is a person. The greatest thing about a person is his motives, and the greatest motive is love.

2. Thou Shalt Develop Thy Understanding

(Mt. 7:12). Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.  “If every man’s care were written on his brow, how many would our pity share, who bear our envy now?”

3. Thou Shalt Compliment More Than Criticize

(1 Pet. 3:10; Rm. 14:19). For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: We should cover our neighbor’s fault with a cloak of charity; we may need a circus tent to cover our own.

4. Thou Shalt Not Often Get Angry

(Eph. 4:26) Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: If we are right, we don’t need to. If we are wrong, we can’t afford to.

5. Thou Shalt Not Argue

(Eph. 4:32) And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. It’s no use to win the argument and lose the relationship. Beware of the attitude which says: “In matters controversial, my attitude is fine. I always see two points of view—the one that’s wrong and mine.”

6. Thou Shalt Be Kind

(1 Cor. 13:4) Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,  Be kind to people you meet on the way up; they are the ones you meet on the way down. It’s nice to be important, but it’s more important to be nice.

7. Thou Shalt Have a Sense of Humour

(Prov. 17:22) A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones. A sense of humor is to a man what springs are to a wagon. It saves him lots of jolts.

8. Thou Shalt Smile

(cf. Ecc. 3:4) A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; No man is ever fully dressed until he has a smile on his face. Powder your face with sunshine,

Powder your face with sunshine,
Put on a great big smile.
Make up your eyes with laughter,
Folks will be laughing with you in a little while.
Whistle a tune of gladness,
Gloom never was worthwhile.
The future’s brighter when hearts are lighter,
So, smile, smile, smile.

9. Thou Shalt Practice What Thou Preachest

(Rm. 2:21) Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal?  One example is worth one thousand arguments.

10. Thou shalt go to school under the Headmaster of the Universe (Jn. 14:6 ) Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. He is the Master of Men, the Secretary of Human Relations—namely, Jesus Christ. He is the greatest leader the world has ever known.

Matthew 6:9  After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.  Three-year-old, Reese: “Our Father, Who does art in heaven, Harold is his name. Amen.”

Matthew 6:14  For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: One four-year-old prayed, “And forgive us our trash baskets as we forgive those who put trash in our baskets.”

WHAT DO YOU MEAN CHRISTIAN?
30 Apr 06

Just what is meant when it is said of someone, “He/she is a Christian”? What does the term “Christian” really mean? The word Christian is first used in Acts 11:26 of the Bible. It says: "And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch."

In defining what Christian means, notice that it was the "disciples" of Christ who were first called “Christians.” The word “disciple” means “learner,” “pupil,” or “student ” and is closely related to the word "discipline." It is the task of the disciple to learn, study, obey, and pass along the teachings of the teacher. Those called Christians were FIRST "disciples" -- students, learners -- of Christ.

They were NOT just "believers" but FOLLOWERS of Christ!
The disciples understood that in order for Jesus to be their SAVIOR, He must ALSO be LORD of their lives!

What does the word “LORD” mean? It means master or ruler. The term Lord has two parts: 1) His authority and 2) one’s obedience to His authority. Jesus once asked, “But why do you call Me 'Lord, Lord,' and do NOT do the things which I say?" (Luke 6:46).

How do we OBEY Christ the Lord? We OBEY Him when we DO what He commands.  Listen to His words: "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven,

but he who DOES the will of My Father in heaven. (Matthew 7:21)

What is the will of the Father? His will is communicated to us through His inspired Word, the Bible. (2 Timothy 3:16)

How do we come to KNOW His will? By reading His Word! We CANNOT obey or follow what we do NOT know…."For ‘whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.’ How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!’

(Romans 10:13-15).

Pay careful attention to what Paul goes on to say in the NEXT verse: "But they have NOT all OBEYED THE GOSPEL.

For Isaiah says, ‘Lord, who has believed our report?’ So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God"

(Romans 10:16-17).

What is the GOSPEL which is to believed AND THE GOSPEL IS: the DEATH, BURIAL and RESURRECTION of Jesus Christ. (1Corinthians 15:1-4) AND-- There is a "real life application” of THIS gospel message for the believer. Believers are to “reenact” these events (death, burial, resurrection) by their repentance

(a death to sin), baptism (a burial), and being raised to walk in "newness of life" (a resurrection) by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 6:3-4)

BELIEVERS become FOLLOWERS – who are called

CHRISTIANS! A Christian then continues to follow Christ as Lord - living a life where His Word is honoured! (1 John 1:6-7)

Have YOU obeyed the Gospel?

 

The Holy Alphabet

Although things are not perfect
Because of trial or pain
Continue in thanksgiving
Do not begin to blame
Even when the times are hard
Fierce winds are bound to blow
God is forever able
Hold on to what you know
Imagine life without His love
Joy would cease to be
Keep thanking Him for all the things
Love imparts to thee
Move out of “Camp Complaining”
No weapon that is known
On earth can yield the power
Praise can do alone
Quit looking at the future
Redeem the time at hand
Start every day with worship
To “thank” is a command
Until we see Him coming
Victorious in the sky
We’ll run the race with gratitude
X alting God most high
Yes, there’ll be good times and some will be bad, but...
Zion waits in glory...where none are ever sad!