JURONG OUTREACH - June 08

HAVE YOU SEEN GOD? PT 2
1st June 08

We can see God in nature. If an ordinary man goes out on a starry night, he sees only a bunch of pinpoints in the sky. An

astronomer looks at the same sky and calls the stars and planets by their names. From the same sky, a navigator guides his ship safely to its destination. David looked at the same sky and saw the glory of God  

(Psalm 19:1-6).

 1 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.

 2 Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.

 3 There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.

 4 Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a 

    tabernacle for the sun,

 5 Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.

 6 His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid 

   from the heat thereof. 

With the naked eye, we can see two or three thousand stars on a clear night. Our “North Star,” or Polaris, seems close, but scientists say that the light we see from that star started out from that star 407 years ago in the late 1600s. It had been on its way since about Shakespeare’s time! Further, there are many stars we see that are as much as 3,000 light years away. The light we see tonight started out when David wrote Psalm 19. These stars could explode and we wouldn’t know it for hundreds or even thousands of years. Joel Chandler Harris saw in rabbits and foxes and opossums “Uncle Remus” stories that will live forever. We can look at the same animals and see the design and wisdom of God  

(Proverbs 30:24-28).

24 There be four things which are little upon the earth, but they are exceeding wise:

25 The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer;

26 The conies are but a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks;

27 The locusts have no king, yet go they forth all of them by bands;

28 The spider taketh hold with her hands, and is in kings' palaces. 

We can look at the human body and see God’s wonderful wisdom. “I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works . . .” (Psalm 139:14).  

“For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse” (Romans 1:20).  

Do you want to see God? Sir Isaac Newton said: “I can take my telescope and look millions and millions of miles into space, but I can lay it aside and go into my room, shut my door, get down on my knees in earnest prayer, and see more of heaven and get closer to God than I can assisted by all the telecopes . . . on earth.” James said, “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you” (4:8). The only way is to have a pure heart (Psalm 17:15; 41:12; 42:1; 63:2; 140:13; Job. 42:5). Purity of heart cleanses the soul’s eyes so that God becomes visible (Philippians 1:9-11). Sin obscures the truth (John 3:19-20; Matthew 13:13-16; 1 Corinthians 2:14-15; Titus 1:15-16; 1 John 3:6). Evil and ignorance often come in a package. Further, the Master promised that if we would keep our hearts pure we “shall see God” in the next world (Job 19:26-27; 1 Corinthians 13:12; Hebrews 12:14). “It is not yet made manifest” (1 John 3:2) in a complete sense how our eyes will be changed so that we can see a spirit-being, but “we know that . . . we shall see him even as he is.” His “servants shall serve him; and they shall see his face” (Revelation 22:3-4; cf. 5:13-14; 11:16-19; 2 Thessalonians 1:10).“When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.” 

Look for God today. You just may see Him. 

THE YEAR IS HALF GONE
8th June 08

Time passes so quickly. The days of the year are flying by. James described the brevity of time: "Whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life'? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away" (4:14). Job 7:6 says, "My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle ..." Another description of how quickly time passes is, "...Our days are a shadow" (Job 8:9). Solomon spoke of the passing of times in these somber words, "One generation passes away, and another generation comes ..." (Ecclesiastes 1:4.) Recognizing the brevity of time let us use wisely the last half of 2008, if God gives that time. 

IN THE LAST HALF OF THIS YEAR 

…I WlLL USE TIME WISELY. "Redeeming the time, because the days are evil" (Ephesians 5:16). Time should be redeemed as we sincerely repent of sins and busy ourselves with the work of the kingdom. Avoid wasting your time in Satan's service. Eternal consequence will result from the use made of time! 

... I WlLL DO GOOD FOR OTHERS. Jesus did good and so must we. "How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him" (Acts 10:38). Jesus' business was simple. He went about doing good. His was the business of blessing others. Satan goes about seeking whom he may devour. Christians go about seeking opportunities to do good. Jesus did good because He was good. Those who are good will do good (Acts 11 :22-26)! 

... I WlLL BE THANKFUL AND WlLL NOT COMPLAIN. "Do all things without complaining and disputing" (Phil. 2:14). Christians are not to complain, be discontent, or murmur. How can we shine as light if our spirit is that of a complainer (Phil. 2: 15)? Our attitude reflects which master we serve. 

...I WlLL GO THE SECOND MILE. "And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two" (Mt. 5:41). Christians must serve, bear, forebear, and accept injury without seeking vengeance. Make the best of whatever life brings and be a Christian in every circumstance. Always shine for Jesus.

To be saved you must hear (Romans 10: 17), believe (Mark 16: 16), repent (Acts 2:38), confess (Romans 10:9-l0), and be baptized (Acts 2:38). As a Christian set your goal to prepare for heaven now before it is too late.    

Charles Box
 

Account for your time
 

À disciple of His

The decision has been made. I’m a disciple of His. I won’t look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still.

My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my future is hopeful. 

I’m finished and I’m done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tame visions, mundane talking,

chintzy giving, and dwarf goals.

I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotion, platitudes, or popularity. I don’t have to be right, first, tops,

recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded. I now live by His presence, learn by faith, walk by patience, lift by prayer, and

labour by power. 

My face is set. My gait is fast. My goal is Heaven. My road is narrow. My way is rough. My companions few. My God reliable. My mission clear. 

I cannot be bought, compromised, returned, lured away, turned back, deluded, or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of adversity, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity. 

I won’t give up, shut up, or let up until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, and preached up for the cause of Christ. I am a disciple of Jesus.

I must go until He comes. Give till I drop. Preach till all know, and work till He stops me. And when He comes for His own, He’ll have no problem recognizing me.

Author Unknown 

THE CHRISTIAN MAN AS LEADER AND PROVIDER AT HOME
15th June 08

Studies have shown that only 43 percent of state prison inmates grew up with both parents and that a missing father is a better predictor of criminal activity than race or poverty". "More than half of today's children will spend at least a part of childhood without a father" "The absence of fathers is linked to most social nightmares - from boys with guns to girls with babies"  

These frightful statistics and statements point up the fact that men have left God's way for the home and family. Some recognize that there really is a problem and they are trying to fix it in their own way. There are scores of grassroots organizations all over the country trying to reconnect fathers with their children. I am sure that these organizations are good and have their place, but the only way back to healing the broken family structure in this country is for men to return to God's way for the family. The deteriorating condition of the home will not improve until the father assumes his rightful place in the home! 

In this connection, a few basic and fundamental facts are worth repeating. First, marriage and the home are of divine design, origin and purpose (Genesis 2). Second, marriage is intended to bless all mankind (Proverbs 18:22). Third, immorality (fornication, adultery) is always wrong (Hebrews 13:4). Fourth, the sanctity of marriage must be respected (Matthew 19:3-9). 

Specific Roles for Men in the Home 

In God's scheme of things, the man is the leader in the home (Ephesians 5:22-23; Colossians 3:18). It is regrettable that this arrangement does not please everybody in our world today. This teaching does not please those men who are no good (devoid of morals, principles and character), and abandon their families (wife, children); otherwise known as "dead-beat dads." This teaching does not please those weak men who will not shoulder their responsibilities as leaders and providers in the home. This teaching does not please those women who have imbibed the modern feminist mystique. This teaching does not please those distorted misfits who promote a unisex society, where men and women have no distinctive roles which belong primarily to them. The man has the primary role of providing for the home both materially and spiritually. Paul said, "But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel" (1 Timothy 5:8). The word "provide" means, "taking thought in advance" (Genesis 22:8; Romans 12:17). Parents have the responsibility of providing for their children such things as life's necessities (food, shelter, clothing), a good education and above all spiritual nourishment and development (Ephesians 6:4). 

There is more to being a good provider than simply providing for the material needs of a family (Luke 12:15). It seems that many men are able to do this well enough, but will not provide the greatest needs a family has, such as guidance, love, discipline and example (Proverbs 17:6). Many a man is happy to have absolutely nothing to do with the spiritual development of his children by leaving it all up to his wife. In so doing, he is wrong in not assuming that which is his God-given responsibility (Ephesians 6:4). 

We tend to think of providing as meaning the same as bringing home a paycheck. Nothing could be farther from the truth. The most important provision goes beyond what money can buy. Have we all but forgotten Paul's words to Timothy and Titus? "I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house; give no occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully" (1 Timothy 5:14), and, "The aged women likewise...That they teach the younger women...To be discrete, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed" (Titus 2:3-5). Are these words anachronistic to our lives today and no longer worthy of a place in God's counsel in our lives? 

His Relationship to His Wife 

The woman plays a dual role in relationship to her husband. First, she is the wife of his youth. Second, she is the mother of his children. Her work at home is so important, and seems to go unnoticed by many. Thankfully, there are still some women who want to fulfill God's plan that they "guide the house," but, society heaps such disgrace upon them they are discouraged in the task. Some wives have taken control of the home and the spiritual direction of the children because the husband will not act as leader and provider in the home as he should. This is not what God intended for the home and family. Adam Clark expressed it well when he quoted Francis Quarles, who said, 

Ill thrives that hapless family that shows,
A cock that's silent and a hen that crows:
I know not which live most unnatural lives;
Obeying husbands, or commanding wives.
(Clarke's Commentary, Vol. 6, p. 463). 

For the family to return to God's pattern many fathers are going to have to return to their divinely designed role as leader and provider. Government with its programs cannot heal the breach; neither can grassroots organizations bind up the wounded and bleeding family structure. Men simply must return to God's will for men as leaders and providers at home. It's the only way back. 

LAZY BONES
22nd June 08

James Albery (1838-1889) wrote his own epitaph. 

He slept beneath the moon,
He basked beneath the sun;
He lived a life of going-to-do,
And died with nothing done. 

He lived a life of going-to-do and died with nothing done” is a fit summary of many a life. The one-talent man was not condemned for wasting his talent on “wine, women, and song.” He did not steal a talent from the two-talent man or cheat the five-talent man in business. He was just lazy (“slothful,”¹ Matthew 25:26). There will be some very decent folks turned from heaven’s door because they just didn’t “do.” It is not that they did anything wrong, they just didn’t do much of anything. 

A quick overview of the Bible’s content shows God’s emphasis on work and His warnings against laziness. The word slothful is found fifteen times in the Bible; idle/idleness, fourteen times; sluggard, six times; work, four hundred nineteen times; and labour, eighty-nine times. The first command given man was to “dress and keep” the Garden (Genesis 2:10). The Bible’s last chapter records, “Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city” (Revelation 22:14). In between these the wise man wrote, “… drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags… Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger…How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?” (Proverbs 23:21; 19:15; 6:9) 

A Man Should……..

Get a job. 

Some seem to think the world owes them a living, and even expect the government to collect it for them! The wise man pictured them: “As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed. The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth” (Proverbs 26:14,15). Some are almost as bad as the Russian who was so lazy they said, “He's willing to swallow but too lazy to chew.” God intended for man to work (Genesis 3:19). Adam was a gardener. Noah was a boat builder and preacher. Abraham was a shepherd. David was a musician, shepherd, and king. Jesus was a carpenter (Matthew 13:55). Peter, James, and John were fishermen. Matthew was a tax-collector. Luke was a doctor. Cornelius was a soldier. Paul was a tentmaker and professor. He said, “…if any would not work, neither should he eat” (2 Thessalonians 3:10). That may sound hard, but God’s wisdom is seen in the story of a thirty-six-year-old New Yorker. The Associated Press quoted him as saying, “I like to live decent, I like to be clean.” Nothing wrong with that; the only problem was he didn’t like to work. So he found other ways to satisfy his cultured tastes. He would walk into a fine restaurant, order top cuisine and choice liquor, and then when the check arrived, shrug his shoulders and wait for the police. The sometimes homeless man actually wanted to end up in the slammer, where he would get three meals a day and a clean bed. He pled guilty to stealing a restaurant meal thirty-one times. In 1994 he served ninety days at the Rikers Island jail for filching a meal from a café in Rockefeller Center. New York taxpayers have paid more than a quarter of a million dollars over five years to feed, clothe, and house one lazy man! Others falsify claims for disability or harassment to get a “free ride.” As Matthew Henry said, “It is common for men who will not do their duty, to pretend they cannot. But God will judge all such behavior (2 Corinthians 5:10) 

Work When at Work 

Employers complain that this generation wants a big paycheck but doesn’t want to earn it. Some apply themselves when the boss is looking over their shoulder, but as soon as he’s around the corner, they go back to goofing off. The Bible says, “…Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart” (Ephesians 6:6; cf. Colossians 3:22). Chilton Research Service reported that nineteen percent of adults ages 18-34 admit having called in sick to take a “mental health day” more than once (cited in USA Today, 12/26/95). The secret to promotion in most jobs is no secret—just be willing to work. “The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute” (Proverbs 12:24). As one said, “Opportunity for advancement is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.” Some are like one farmer who said lightning struck an old shed and thus saved him the trouble of tearing it down, and rain washed off his car and saved him washing it. When asked what he was doing now, he replied, “Waiting for an earthquake to shake the potatoes out of the ground.” This is not how “real-life” works. If you are waiting for your “ship to come in” remember that people seldom drift to success. “The bee that makes the honey doesn’t hang around the hive.” The road to success is marked with many tempting parking places. Diligence in business is every Christian’s duty; not so much that he may attain worldly wealth (Matthew 6:19-21), but that he may not be a burden to others, or a scandal to the church. 

Provide For His Family 

The masculine pronoun is not gender insensitivity or stereotype. It is used because God placed the responsibility for earning the family’s living squarely on the man’s shoulder. Since Adam, when a man assumes the headship of a family by taking a wife and, later, brings offspring into the world, he is expected to earn a livelihood for them. Until he is ready to work, he does not have the right to marry or bear children. A man who is too lazy to do so should be shamed by society and will be judged by God. Paul wrote, "But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel" (1 Timothy 5:8). Some say, “I’m just trusting in God to take care of me.” God provides for us by giving us healthy bodies, rain to water the earth, and sun to grow the crops. Even when he gave manna in the wilderness, they had to gather it each day. He doesn’t do for us what we can do for ourselves. One said, “Don’t loaf away your time and depend on the Lord for your daily bread; He isn’t running a bakery.” It is true enough that the Bible promises no loaves to the loafer.

Don’t be a “lazy bones”.

DON'T BE DECEIVED
29th June 08

Know why the petrol prices are alarming? We’re not used to them. They’re going up every month—almost weekly. Wait until they level off and stay put for a while. Perhaps a year or two from now it will be no “big deal” to pay $3.00 per liter for petrol. 

What’s true with the petrol prices is also true with the price of sin. What once was considered “unthinkable” is now no “big deal.” Divorce. Living together before marriage. Lying. Adultery. Abortion. Homosexuality. We’ve gotten use to them. They’re not frowned upon as they once were. 

Satan has done a number on us. He is the father of all lies (John 8:44). “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.” His primary tool is deception. No wonder God warns us over and over: “Be not deceived.” 

A man is deceived when he thinks that sinners will be saved. “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Corinthians 6:9–10) 

A man is deceived when he thinks that bad company is good for him. “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners” (1 Corinthians 15:33) 

A man is deceived when he thinks he can sow one thing and reap another. “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting” (Galatians 6:7–8) 

A man is deceived when he thinks he can just listen to the word and please God. “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves” (James 1:22) 

A man is deceived when he thinks that he is without sin. “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us” (1 John 1:8) 

Brethren, don’t be deceived! —Keith Parker 

George Bailey Quotes

We pay the price or we pay the penalty. 

If you work hard when you don’t have to, you

   won’t have to work hard when you don’t want to.

It matters not what you save if you lose your soul;

    and it matters not what you lose if you save your    

    soul.

The way to keep from being a busybody is to keep

    a body busy.

When you ask for 30 minutes of a person’s time,

    you ask for 30 minutes of his life.

There is nothing more pitiful than a full audience

    and an empty preacher. In preaching, you can’t

    substitute personality for preparation.

—as noted by Jeff Archey 

“I applied mine heart to know, and to search, and to seek out wisdom.” 

(Ecclesiastes 7: 25)