JURONG OUTREACH - DEC 05

SPLIT WATER
4 Dec 05

Consider this story told by Bernard L. Brown, Jr., President of the Kennestone Regional Health Care System in the state of Georgia:

Brown once worked in a hospital where a patient knocked over a cup of water, which spilled on the floor beside the patient’s bed. The patient was afraid he might slip on the water if he got out of the bed, so he asked a nurse’s aide to mop it up. The patient didn’t know it, but the hospital policy said that small spills were the responsibility of the nurse’s aides while large spills were to be mopped up by the hospital’s housekeeping group.

The nurse’s aide decided the spill was a large one and she called the housekeeping department. A housekeeper arrived and declared the spill a small one. An argument followed. “It’s not MY responsibility,” said the nurse’s aide, “because it’s a LARGE puddle.” The housekeeper did not agree. “Well, it’s not MINE,” she said, “the puddle is too SMALL.”

The exasperated patient listened for a time, then took a pitcher of water from his night table and poured the whole thing on the floor. “Is THAT a big enough puddle NOW for you two to decide?” he asked. It was, and that was the end of the argument.

Speaking of spills, YOU and I often make messes of our lives due to SIN.

Sin stains our souls terribly; we need cleansing. The “puddle” is so big, that we cannot clean it up ourselves.

Many try to assign blame on someone or something else. The "blame game" is as old as man himself.

(Read Genesis 3). “I’m not responsible. It’s my parents fault,” we say. Or, “I’m a product of my environment” is an excuse that we often give. “It’s not my responsibility.”

WHO is responsible for the mess I make with my life?? Honesty requires me to answer, ” I AM.” The same goes for the messes you make in your life.

But, there is GOOD NEWS! Cleansing is available! Even though He didn’t have to, God said, “I’ll clean it up.” In fact, He is the only One who could! He gave His only begotten Son to die for our sins, so that we may have forgiveness.

And He will forgive those who believe in Jesus (Acts 16:31) And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house,

repent of their sins (Acts 17:30-31) And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.

confess Jesus (Romans 10:9-10) That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

and are baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38) Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

He will continue to cleanse those who continue to follow Him (1 John 1:7). But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

He WILL clean up the mess that you have made IF you will allow Him to. The choice is yours! Won’t YOU allow Him to make you clean through your trusting obedience?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

What are your priorities?

Joy in life comes                        Jesus FIRST

As we surrender                              

To God, and give                        Others SECOND

Ourselves unto

Him and to our                            Yourself LAST!!

Fellowman!

SITUATION ETHICS - FROM GOD OR MAN?
11 Dec 05

This topic is probably as old as mankind and every time there is a major crisis, the topic resurfaces and has been fuel to people rejecting the gospel or apparently faithful Christians twisting the word and making man-made provisions and alternatives.

Let us look at the facts:

1) A sin, is a sin, is a sin       

There is simply no doubt about that. Sin is the transgression of God’s Law. (1 Jn 3:4) The motivation and magnitude are immaterial, i.e. whether it’s unintentional or deliberate, great or small. Sin separates us from God (Is 59:1, 2) and where there is sin, one needs to repent of it in order to be forgiven of it. (1 Jn 1:9)

2) God’s ways are not our ways

The prophet Isaiah couldn’t have put it better in Is 55:8, 9. Paul echoes a similar line of thought in 1 Co 1:18 ff. We are not, or rather not able to be in the position to question God’s ways. It would indeed be foolhardy to argue with God using our puny mindsets and relative short-sightedness. One of the finest examples we have in the bible is that of Job, who confessed at the end, being fully convinced of his folly, “therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not.” (Job 42:3)

3) All things work for the good  

God knows best. To the faithful Christians, Paul reminds us of the great love and mercy of God in Rom 8:28 – a wonderful verse that gives Christians hope in the darkest times. What great comfort that is, considering the fact of the great persecution and immense oppression in those days. Anything we face today seems to be trivial compared to that.

4) God’s protection           

Paul again gives us great comfort in 1 Co 10:13. God loves and cares for us! What have we to fear? We should meet any challenges in life with courage and stick firmly to the principles that God has given us. We do not know what the world would hurl at us but we know we can put our faith in God, who will make a way for his faithful children. (2 Pet 2:9)    

I thank God that I have not faced a situation wherein I am torn between light and dark. However, knowing that temptations and trials build us up (Jam 1:2, 3) and what I have mentioned above, I know that I will be able to handle whatever situation that I face in a Godly manner, acceptable in the sight of God.

The whole idea of situation ethics boils down to one thing – lack of trust in God. The idea that God’s law is not comprehensive enough for us – we have to invent a way out and worse still, that God allows us to invent a way out. The truth cannot be further (Pro 14:12, 16:25). It is a form of neo-syncretism. As what Jesus mentioned about patching old clothes with new cloth and putting new wine into old wine skins (Mt 9:16, 17; Mk 2:21, 22; Luke 5:36, 37). There cannot be light in darkness (Eph 5:8) and we are not to be found in the company of darkness (2 Co 6:14).

Is it wrong to sin? Yes. (Rom 6:12) Will we be condemned because of sin? Yes. (Rom 6:23) Will we sin? Yes! (1 Jn 1:8) But does it change a jot or tittle about God’s opinion of sin? NO!

Sin, however it may be packaged and marketed is still sin and needs to be repented of when convicted. The beauty of the Law of Christ is that we can be forgiven and continue to have forgiveness. (1 Jn 1:9) However, our first motivation must be to acknowledge that it is sin and not to say that God will overlook it because it is for a greater good (c.f. Rom 6:1, 2; 15). The “safety net” of Christ must not be a reason for us to disregard sin. Solomon hits the nail right on its head in Pro 14:9. Two wrongs do not make one right. A quick glance at the first instance of sin in the Garden of Eden tells us that. Sin only begets sin. (Is 30:1)

Doesn’t it make the Christian life difficult? Yes! God said that it would be (Jn 15:20, 1 Thess 3:4). But let us not be deceived (Gal 6:7). We are to draw near to God (Jam 4:8), especially in times of tribulation and not do the opposite or being double-minded, knowing the benefits of tribulation (Rom 5:3; 1 Pe 1:7; Jam 1:2, 3) and how God has promised us his strength (Phi 4:11) and comfort (2 Co 1:4-6).

All said, “The proof of the pudding is in the eating”. We can only watch and pray, for indeed the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak (Mt 26:41), and continue to put our faith in God, rather than the unstable ways of man and the world.

THE RIGHT FOUNDATION
18 Dec 05

Portions of several streets were closed in Mobile, AL, last Friday night for an historic event. The event was the pouring of the cement foundation for the newest skyscraper being erected in downtown Mobile. Weeks and weeks of diligent preparation, including rebar installation to reinforce the concrete, was made to be ready for the cement to be poured. As the pouring began, it was estimated that it would take about 24 hours to funnel 8,000 cubic yards of concrete into a 160-foot-by-160-foot square to form the foundation for the 35-story Retirement Systems of Alabama Battle House Tower. Between 60 and 65 cement trucks per hour emptied their loads and headed back to be filled again to keep the concrete flowing. 32 million pounds of concrete were expected to be poured in a 24-hour period. According to architectural design, the foundation has to be solid concrete - 7 feet and 6 inches thick - to support the weight of the office tower. The building will weigh more than 100,000 tons!

Why go to so much trouble to lay this foundation? The architects and builders understand that the tower will not stand unless it has a STRONG foundation.

I shudder to think of what could happen if this skyscraper did not have a strong foundation. Hurricanes come through Mobile periodically. Without this strong foundation, the tower would not be able to withstand the fierce winds and the tremendous amount of rain. The tower would fall due to an insufficient foundation causing untold numbers of lives to be lost – both inside and around the building.

A building is only as strong as its foundation!

What is true for buildings and their foundations, is also true for our lives. In order for us to be able to withstand the storms of life, each of us needs a strong foundation.

Pay careful attention to the words of Jesus: "Therefore whoever HEARS these sayings of Mine, AND DOES them, I will liken him to - a WISE MAN who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. But everyone who HEARS these sayings of Mine, AND DOES NOT do them, will be like - a FOOLISH MAN who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And GREAT was its fall" (Matthew 7:24-27).

Jesus assures us that no matter what storms may arise, OBEDIENCE to HIM is the ONLY sure foundation on which to build our lives – lives that will withstand the test of time AND the Judgment to follow!

We BEGIN building upon the Rock - the TRUE foundation – by placing our trust in God (Hebrews 11:6), But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

repenting of our sins (Acts 17:30-31) And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.

confessing Jesus (Romans 10:9-10),That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

and being baptized into Christ for the forgiveness of our sins (Acts 2:38).That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

We CONTINUE to build our lives on the Rock - by continuing to HEAR and to OBEY the words of Jesus and His inspired apostles.

Is YOUR life built upon THE right foundation?

GOOD TIMES BAD TIMES
25 Dec 05

As the year 2005 comes to an end, let us look back to see how our lives have been. Were there good times? Were there bad times? How have these events affected us? Have we been uplifted by the blessed happenings that filled us with joy and laughter or have we been weighed down by the unhappy events that have overwhelmed us? Have we accepted good times from the Lord and not the bad? (Job 2:10) Have we come to a point where we are ready to give it all up?

This is a beautiful message from someone who almost gave up.

One day I decided to quit...I quit my job, my relationship, my spirituality... I wanted to quit my life.

I went to the woods to have one last talk with God. "God", I said. "Can you give me one good reason not to quit?"

His answer surprised me..."Look around", He said. "Do you see the fern and the bamboo?" "Yes", I replied.

"When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I took very good care of I gave them light. I gave them water. The fern quickly grew from the earth.

Its brilliant green covered the floor. Yet nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo. In the second year the Fern grew more vibrant and plentiful. And again, nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo." He said. "In year three there was still nothing from the bamboo seed.

But I would not quit. In year four, again, there was nothing from the bamboo seed. I would not quit." He said. "Then in the fifth year a tiny sprout emerged from the earth. Compared to the fern it was seemingly small and insignificant...But just 6 months later the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall. It had spent the five years growing roots. Those roots made it strong and gave it what it needed to survive. I would not give any of my creations a challenge it could not handle." (1 Cor 10:13)

He said to me.
"Did you know, my child, that all this time you have been struggling, you have actually been growing roots?"
"I would not quit on the bamboo. I will never quit on you."
"Don't compare yourself to others."

He said. "The bamboo had a different purpose than the fern. Yet they both make the forest beautiful."
"Your time will come", God said to me. "You will rise high"
"How high should I rise?" I asked.
"How high will the bamboo rise?" He asked in return.
"As high as it can?" I questioned
"Yes." He said, "Give me glory by rising as high as you can."

I left the forest and bring back this story. I hope these words can help you see that God will never give up on you. He will never give up on you. Never regret a day in your life.

Good days give you happiness; bad days give you experiences; both are essential to life.

Indeed, being a child of God has never been an assurance that one would be free of difficulties.  The wise writer of Ecclesiastes observed in Eccl 11:7,8 “Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun: But if a man live many years, and rejoice in them all; yet let him remember the days of darkness; for they shall be many. All that cometh is vanity.”

We were warned of troubles (John 16:33) “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

But then again, we are not left alone, we have the promise of Christ that He is with us and we can draw strength from Him to overcome and be blessed. Difficulties should make us better, not bitter.

Let me not live a life that’s free.
From THE THINGS that draw me close to THEE
For how can I ever hope to heal
The wounds of others I do not feel
If my eyes are dry and I never weep,
How do I know when the hurt is deep
If my heart is cold and it never bleeds
How can I tell what my brother needs
For without “crosses to carry” and “burdens to bear”
We dance through a life that is frothy and fair,
And “chasing the rainbow” we have no desire
For “roads that are rough” and “realms that are higher”
So spare me no heartache or sorrow, dear Lord,
For the heart that is hurt reaps the richest reward,
And God enters the heart that is broken with sorrow
As He opens the door to a BRIGHTER TOMORROW,
For only through tears can we recognize
The suffering that lies in another’s eyes.