JURONG OUTREACH - May 07

A MOTHER'S LOVE
6 May 07

A little boy came up to his mother in the kitchen one evening while she was fixing supper, and he handed her a piece of paper that he had been writing on. After his mom dried her hands on an apron, she read it, and this is what it said:  

For cutting the grass: $5.00
For cleaning up my room this week: $1.00
For going to the store for you: .50
Baby-sitting my kid brother while you went shopping: .25
Taking out the garbage: $1.00
For getting a good report card: $5.00
For cleaning up and raking the yard: $2.00

Total owed: $14.75  

Well, his mother looked at him standing there, and the boy could see the memories flashing through her mind. She picked up the pen, turned over the paper he'd written on, and this is what she wrote:     

For the nine months I carried you while you were growing inside me: No Charge! 

For all the nights that I've sat up with you, doctored and prayed for you: No Charge!  

For all the trying times, and all the tears that you've caused through the years: No Charge!  

For all the nights that were filled with dread, and for the worries I knew were ahead: No Charge!  

For the toys, food, clothes, and even wiping your nose: No Charge!

When you add it all up, the cost of my love is: No Charge, Son!  

When the boy finished reading what his mother had written, there were big tears in his eyes, and he looked straight at his mother and said, "Mom, I sure do love you." And then he took the pen and in great BIG letters he wrote: "PAID IN FULL."  

We are indebted to our mothers for ALL that they have done for us. Thank you, Mom!

And, WE are indebted to God for what He offers each of us through His Son, Jesus: Because of our sin, WE owe a tremendous debt – a debt that is TOO GREAT
for any of us to pay (Read Matthew 18:23-35). Yet, because of His love for us, God sent His Son to pay the price for our sin through His sacrificial death on the cross.
Peter reminded some Christians of the price that was paid for their redemption: "For you know that it was NOT with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the "empty way of life" handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect(1Peter1:18-19).

For THOSE who accept God’s offer by: placing their trust in Him (Hebrews 11:6), 

 repenting of sin (2 Corinthians 7:9-10), 

confessing Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), 

being baptized (immersed) for the forgiveness of sin (Acts 2:38), 

and continually following Him faithfully (1 John 1:7),  

God writes upon THEIR debt:

"PAID IN FULL."

Has YOUR debt been paid?  

God bless you!

MAKING THE HOME WORK
13 May 07

(13/5/07)            Making the Home Work

I have a few questions for you to answer me. If a Christian husband and a father comes home from work and finds his home not in order physically and spiritually, Is he lacking God's knowledge? What about when his children and wife are not obedient. What happens to a man, if he is always busy doing dishes, washing clothes and his wife cannot be bothered. The man of the house has no outside interest, does not go to prayer and no fellowship with other believers on a regular basis. This man's wife stays home and does not effectively disciplines her children. Do you have any material that I can pass on to them. I have tried over 15 years to councel them. ~ Sarv Sohal 

First, if over the "15 years" you have endeavored to 'counsel' the family mentioned, you have taught the biblical truths respecting how God intends the home to work, and they have not used your counsel appropriately, it is unlikely that the circumstances to which you refer will change regardless of what additional efforts or materials are expended upon them. 

Second, possessing freewill and having individual responsibility, humans can ignore if they choose instructions that are in their best interest; hence, the ultimate responsibility for any accountable soul's action is his own. However, we are pleased to address making the home work as God intended. 

From near the dawn of mankind's habitation on planet earth, God designed complementary or mutually helping (but different) roles for the man and the woman.  

Woman was created to be a "help meet" for man (Genesis 1:18). God formed the first family when he brought Eve to Adam (Genesis 1:22). After Adam and Eve sinned, God definitively prescribed the relationship between the respective roles of women and men (Genesis 3:16-19). From that time and throughout Patriarchy (Adam to Moses), Judaism (Moses through Jesus Christ) and Christianity (from Christ through the present) the roles of women and men have been fixed by God (Proverbs 31:31; Ephesians 5:22-33; Colossians 3:18-19; 1 Timothy 2:8-15; 1 Peter 3:1-7). The following passage demonstrates God's will for making the home work, as it pertains to the woman, and the preceding citations and biblical references from Patriarchy through the present likewise teach. "But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed" (Titus 2:1-5). 

The summary of various biblical references to making the home work the way God intended includes: (1) The man is primarily responsible (under ordinary circumstances) to support his family, and (2) the woman is primarily responsible (under ordinary circumstances) for rearing the children of the home and providing a hospitable place for her husband and their children. Whatever else either the man or the woman may pursue, they cannot ignore their primary, respective responsibilities without disobeying God and his Word. A man may help around the house while neither ignoring his primary responsibility nor displacing his wife's primary, God-given responsibility. A woman may help her husband or even help earn the living while neither ignoring her primary  responsibility nor displacing her husband's primary, God-given responsibility. 

For instance, when my wife and I both do things that ordinarily fall under my responsibility, she is my helper. When my wife and I both do things that ordinarily fall under her responsibility, I am her helper. There are also many things in making a home work that are shared responsibilities where a husband and a wife simply share those activities. Yet, the husband and father of the home is ultimately responsible for his home to God. 

God intended the husband and father to provide for his home (1 Timothy 5:8; 2 Thessalonians 3:10) and rule his household (1 Timothy 3:5).  

God intended the wife and mother to provide the home environment for her husband and their children (Titus 2:5). God intended children in the home to obey their parents (Ephesians 6:1-4). The entire family is required to worship God at the appointed times (Hebrews 10:25). Christian fellowship should be sought (Romans 12:10; 1 Peter 2:17) 

A family that prays together,

Stays together.

TODAY'S CHRISTIAN WOMAN
20 May 07

According to principles in Proverbs 31, a Christian woman has many opportunities today to further God’s plan of salvation. A vessel, chosen by God, she is precious. A ‘lively stone’ acceptable to God by Jesus Christ (1 Peter 2:4-5). She is priceless, a member of her family who seeks to be of worth to others as she quietly reaches out to teach about Jesus. He expects her best, for it is her reasonable service. She knows her place. Always a Christian, she is a glorious and gracious addition to the church. A living temple, she serves with joy in her heart.  

Today’s Christian woman can always be attuned to the wishes of the Gentle Shepherd of the flock as she continually strives to please God. She studies the Scripture to improve her knowledge and elevate the cause of Christ. She is obedient to her husband and speaks well of him wherever she goes. She is kind, using no unpleasant words or actions. She shows how to love and be tenderhearted by being tender and loving. She brings joy and laughter into her busy world, yet she is ready to weep with those who may be suffering and in deep sorrow. She must keep her tongue under control.  

She is trusted to keep her speech and actions pure concerning others. Trustworthiness is a trait becoming a virtuous woman. She will seek guidance and wisdom through daily prayer, often without ceasing! Above all she has true modesty! Ephesians 5:19 plainly says “singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.” Listen as a Christian woman sings praise to the Lord while teaching her children to do the same. To hear a small child sing is something sweet and beautiful! The melody comes from a heart with no restraint whatsoever, praising God, pure and simple.  

Her heart instructs her hands to do the work of love Christ entrusted to every Christian lady. “She looketh well to the ways of her household and eats not the bread of idleness” (Proverbs 31:27). Her hands, gentle in touch, yet firm when necessary, will hold tightly to the weaker clasps of those in need. She gives support through trials and torment, understanding the work as she labors in her home, church and community. She is a wife, mother and friend who can be depended upon when emergencies arise, day or night. She gives all of herself to being a Christian!  

A Christian woman can accomplish much in her lifetime. First, she is a virtuous woman, trusted, will do good, seeks and works willingly, brings . . . buys, plants . . . and strengthens . . . her candle goeth not out by night. She makes, sells, then delivers! These words hold forth just a few deeds she can be busy about today. She has much to do as she stays within the proper boundaries spoken of in the Bible. She has no time to become unhappy with her place in life. “Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also” (Proverbs 31:28).  

Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised” (Proverbs 31:30). Her own emotions, dwelling deep within her soul, can rest contentedly as she brings her requests to the Lord. “The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep her heart and mind through Jesus Christ” (Philippians 4:4). “A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance, but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken” (Proverbs 15:13). Why should she even think or do evil when rejoicing in the Lord pays better dividends by far? Her face is the mirror of her soul! It will expose her innermost being! A Christ-like woman has nothing to hide, the beauty of her soul will shine in her face! She need not be ashamed of her beauty. She is victorious!  

Lastly, the Christian lady gives of the fruits of her hands; her works will praise her. What a challenge to all of us. A challenge of such enormity should capture our attention, never letting us go until we too have become a priceless stone with a value yet unknown. To be priceless speaks well of the Christian woman today. Her price is far above rubies if she is willing to do the work Christ would have her do.  

Her soul, at peace with God, is safely sealed, waiting to soar away home. This ‘living stone,’ the result of a Christian lifetime, reflects the brilliance of a well polished jewel. Her experiences may have been a struggle, but Jesus knows her efforts and her obedience. He will be her final Judge.

JESUS' MOTHER
27 May 07

In God's eyes, motherhood is to be exalted. God could have sent Jesus into the world as a full-grown man. Instead, by the way of the womb of a "woman" (Galatians 4:4) Jesus "became flesh" (John 1:14). If the Creator has thus chosen to honour motherhood, human beings should do no less! Normally, women "will be saved through child-bearing if they continue in faith and love and dedication with good sense" (1 Timothy 2:15). [Paul said] "I want the younger women to marry, to bear children, to manage the household, and to give no occasion for criticism" (1 Timothy 5:14). 

But a woman does not have to become a mother. If she chooses to remain single, yet putting the Lord first, the Scripture blesses her: "The unmarried woman and the virgin care about the Lord's things, that they may be dedicated, both in body and spirit" (1 Corinthians 7:34). 

However, God's plan for Jesus was for him to be formed in Mary's womb, and for her in her ninth month to ride on a donkey's back some 60 miles, Nazareth to Bethlehem. God could have planned for Jesus to be born in a palace. Instead, Joseph and Mary were turned down at the inn. Mary said to Joseph, "'Take me down from the ass, for that which is in me presses to come forth.' ...Joseph took her down, and he found there a cave, and let her into it"  

In the cave was a stable, and "While they were there, the time came for her to give birth, and she delivered her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a feeding trough" (Luke 2:6-7). There, "God in the flesh was God in the straw." Clothes for a newborn baby certainly were not available in the cave stable that Joseph had found. This means that Mary had exercised foresight before she left Nazareth, getting swaddling clothes ready, and carrying them to Bethlehem. Moving little arms, hungrily sucking a fist, the infant was like any other newborn baby. 

After eight days, Joseph and Mary took Jesus from Bethlehem to the temple in Jerusalem (Luke 2:21-24). There Simeon, a "righteous man," led by the "Holy Spirit," took the baby Jesus "in his arms and praised God" (Luke 2:25-28), but he also warned Mary that "a sword will pierce your soul" (Luke 2:35). Apparently, there was no optimism when Mary herself was born, for somebody named her "Mary," a Hebrew (marah) name meaning "bitter," and Simeon was even less optimistic to the mother of Jesus about what was in store for her. 

As time went on, Joseph and Mary became the parents of four more sons (James, Joseph, Jude and Simon) and of at least two daughters (Mark 6:3). The last time that Jesus' stepfather is mentioned was about a year (29 A.D.) before the crucifixion, when people asked, "Is not this Jesus the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know?" (John 7:42). 

Joseph, being an "honourable man" (Matthew 1:19), would have stood by Mary's side at the cross if he had been alive. Mary, then, must have been a widow less than a year on crucifixion day (Friday, April 7, A.D.30), "standing by the cross" (John 19:25), with "a sword," as Simeon had predicted (Luke 2:35), figuratively piercing her "soul." 

Since Jesus on the cross was nearly naked (five garments having been taken off of him by the four soldiers of the crucifixion detail (John 19:23-24), likely Jesus' mother could see Jesus' bloody feet and some of the "blood and water" coming from his spear-pierced side (John 19:34). Many other people have been nailed to crosses, but has any other mother in all history watched as her son was being crucified? 

Thank God, three people stood at the cross by Mary's side: (1) her sister, Jesus' aunt, also named "Mary"; (2) Mary Magdalene; and (3) John, a son of Zebedee, whom Jesus loved specially (John 13:23; 19:25-26; 20:2; 21:7, 20). But where were Mary's other six (or more) children (Mark 6:3)? Though Jesus' brothers [and probably his sisters] did not believe in him (John 7:5), why did they not stand by the cross to support their mother? 

The dying Jesus looked down from the cross and noticed that not one of Mary's other children, his brothers and his sisters, was there to support their widowed mother. Since none of Jesus' blood-kin was standing by Mary's side, Jesus was forced to turn to a non-family member to take care of his widowed mother, his beloved John, saying to her, "Woman, behold! Your son," and saying to John, "Behold! Your mother" (John 19:26-27). From "that hour," John "took her into his own home" (John 19:27). 

Likely, Jesus' brothers and sisters were watching from a distance, and saw how their brother was cruelly treated, and perhaps heard him pray for his murderers, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they are doing" (Luke 23:34). Likely, on that Friday afternoon, they all became believers, because 43 days later (Matthew 12:40; Acts 1:3), on the day of Jesus' ascension , when Jesus' eleven apostles and some disciples (about 120) went to an "upstairs room" in Jerusalem to pray, in the group were "Mary, the mother of Jesus" and "his brothers" (Acts 1:14). Surely, Luke's word "brothers" is generic, including Jesus' "sisters" (Mark 6:3). 

Jesus' brothers (and sisters?), now praying believers, likely were baptized on Pentecost Day (May 28, A.D.), being among the "about three thousand souls" baptized (Acts 2:41). Later two of Jesus' brothers, James and Jude, God used to write two of the New Testament books. Thus, the sadness of their neglect of their mother on crucifixion day turned into gladness in the rejoicing that God had forgiven them (Acts 2:38), and used them the rest of their lives as vessels of honour.