JURONG OUTREACH - October 07

FORGIVE ME FOR KEEPING YOUR BIBLE
7th Oct 07

The train blew its whistle and wove its way along the winding rails of the hometown of a brother in Hungary. A communist customs agent came through checking all the baggage. The sack of Bibles sat at our brother’s feet. By his side lay his own personal Bible with notes and sermon outlines. The customs agent looked at the sack first. He opened it and thumbed through the pages of the Bible and began to sail them out the window of the speeding train. 

As if for spite, the agent looked down at the open, used (obviously personal) Bible of our brother, grabbed it, and sailed it out the window to parts unknown. For three years our brother bemoaned the fact that his good Bible with so many notes and sermons was no longer his constant companion. “I believe Romans 8:28, but, Lord, how can this work out for good?” he wondered. 

One day he received his personal Bible through the mail. A letter enclosed read, “Dear Brother in Christ: Thank you, Thank you, for the use of your

Bible. I found it by the railroad three years ago. I have kept it, read it, and studied it often. My family and I have written many Scriptures down on paper and many more in our hearts. We cannot thank you enough, for now maybe we can go to heaven . . . But brother, please forgive me for keeping our Bible so long. I thought that if I did not read it now, I might never again find a Bible to read. 

“Oh, Great God and Father of us all, forgive me for my doubting,” wept our Hungarian brother.

Would not it be wonderful if all could come to the Bible as if we found it for the first time? We could be simply “Christians” with a deep

desire to go to heaven, to be with the saints of all the ages. Pick up your New Testament and read it again for the first time. That is, read it as if you had never read it before. Follow what it says—not what some man says it says. Do what it commands—not what some other book requires (2 Timothy 3:16–17). 

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” —Romans 8:28 

Just For Today

I will not strike back. If someone is rude, if someone is impatient, if someone is unkind, I will not respond in that way (Romans 12:19). 

I will ask God to bless my enemy. If I come across someone who treats me harshly or unfairly, I will quietly ask God to bless that individual (Matthew 5:44). I understand my enemy could be a family member, a neighbor, a co-worker, or a stranger. 

I will be careful about what I say. I will carefully choose and guard my words, being certain that I do not spread gossip (James 3:1–6).

I will go the second mile. I will find ways to help share the burden of another person (Matthew 5:41). 

I will forgive. I will forgive those who hurt me (Luke 23:34). 

I will secretly do something kind for someone. I will reach out anonymously and bless the life of another (Ephesians 4:32). 

I will treat others the way I wish to be treated. I will practice “the Golden Rule” (Matthew 7:12). I will do unto others as I would have them do to me, with everyone I encounter. 

I will raise the spirits of someone who is discouraged. My smile, my words, my expressions of concern and support can make a difference to someone facing a challenge (Romans 14:19). 

I will take care of my body. I will eat less . . . I will eat healthier . . . I will exercise . . . I will be thankful . . . My body will be a fitting temple for Him who dwells in me (1 Corinthians 6:19–20). 

I will grow spiritually. I will spend more time in study, prayer, and meditation. I will retreat from life’s pressures and distractions and seek to learn God’s will (2 Peter 3:18).

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM LIFE
14th Oct 07

The Book of Ecclesiastes reveals Solomon's effort to evaluate the world. Having great wealth, power and wisdom, Solomon set out to test life. He used his keen mind in a search for the best life has to offer. He tried to discover how to maximize happiness and minimize sorrow. He sought to understand the world and wanted to unravel its mysteries and discover the meaning of all its workings, both good and evil (Ecclesiastes 1:12-13, 16-17). 

Solomon experienced this with his own life. He tried every kind of pleasure -- the best food and drink, the best music and entertainment, the finest material goods, the most beautiful women. He took on great challenges and tried to improve everything around him. Solomon pursued happiness in every conceivable way (Ecclesiastes 2:1, 3-10). 

Solomon, it seems, pursued happiness with as much zest, gusto and vigor as any man. Certainly, if anyone was ever both wise enough and wealthy enough to succeed, it was Solomon. The Bible states that Solomon's glory -- his riches, possessions and honor -- was unexcelled (Ecclesiastes 2:9). 

No king has ever had more personal resources for the pursuit of happiness than Solomon. Yet, he failed. Whatever he tried, wherever he looked, he found frustration and futility. He discovered that pleasure, possessions or any endeavor would not bring lasting happiness (Ecclesiastes 2:11). He pursued happiness but found vexation, disappointment and emptiness. He ended his great quest, lamentably, hating life (Ecclesiastes 2:15-23).  

Let us notice what Solomon discovered. 

Solomon discovered the vanity of Life! Solomon's failure to find bliss was not a personal one. He failed because of the very nature of life. It is a world at war with itself -- a world of order and disorder in continuous conflict -- and there is no defense against its evils (Ecclesiastes 1:14-15). He saw oppression, the failure of riches, the failure of righteousness and the climax of every life being death. 

Solomon discovered the compensations of life! Although Solomon was deeply disappointed by what he discovered about life, he concluded that life is better than death. And, in spite of all our suffering, virtually everyone chooses life over death (Eccl 9:4-6; 11:7-8). Furthermore, God has given us compensations to ease our sorrows. He has made the simple, common experiences of life the most reliable resources of happiness. It is also good to know and remember that true survival comes from obedience to the Lord (Eccl 7:18). 

Solomon discovered the accountability of life! It behooves us all to keep the future in mind as we live our lives. Solomon warned the young to look ahead and not forget that age catches up with us all. Do not live selfishly and for the moment because (although it cannot be seen) our spirit goes upward to be judged by how we have lived (Ecclesiastes 11:9-10; 12:13-14). Solomon is not pessimistic about life; he is realistic. We will not find a utopia in this life. This, however, is the perfect training ground for eternity. This life brings struggles, trials and difficulties which must be met with obedience to the Word of God. Obedience to God can give meaning to life and bring eternal life. 

You can become a Christian by believing that Jesus Christ is God's Son (John 8:24), “I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.” 

repenting of your sins (Acts 3:19), “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;”

confessing your faith in Christ as God's Son (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 (immersed in water) for the forgiveness of your 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” 

Will you let us assist you in obtaining the abundant life? 

THE HALL OF SHAME
21st Oct 07

The following editorial appeared in the Salt Lake Tribune earlier this week: 

“Marion Jones owned the 2000 Summer Olympic Games in Sydney . A world-class sprinter and long jumper, she won five medals - three gold and two bronze - in track and field. Attractive, articulate, intelligent and talented, she was America 's darling. And the world was her stage… 

“For nearly two decades, from a high school track in California to a college stadium in North Carolina to the starting blocks at international venues, Jones out jumped and outran them all.  But in the end, she couldn't run from the truth! “Jones, 31, was faster than a speeding bullet because she was higher than a kite on anabolic steroids. Her name first surfaced in 2003, when she was linked to the company accused of supplying baseball's Barry Bonds with performance-enhancing drugs. Then, in 2006, she tested positive for steroids. 

“Through it all, Jones denied, denied, denied.  And, as it turns out, she lied, lied, lied! To her fans, her family, federal investigators AND to herself!

“Facing federal charges for lying to investigators, Jones pleaded GUILTY! 

On Saturday, standing on the steps of a federal courthouse in New York City where she will be sentenced early next year, Jones admitted to using steroids both before and after the 2000 Olympics. ‘It's with a great amount of shame that I stand before you and tell you that I have betrayed your trust,’ she said.“And with that admission, Marion Jones staggered across the finish line for the final time, announcing her retirement from track and field. In an instant, she went from champion to cheater; from the "Hall of Fame" to the "Hall of Shame.”  

Marion Jones’ painful ordeal reminds us of a GREAT TRUTH:

“Be sure, YOUR sin will find you out” (Numbers 32:23).  

 It may happen swiftly or it may be revealed in time, but one day, ALL sin will be exposed (2 Corinthians 5:10).

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.”

The TRUTH IS: Marion Jones is NOT the only one that has made some terrible choices, nor is she is the only one that has tried to cover them up.  “For ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).  Each and every one of us has “had our picture hung” in the “Hall of Shame.” 

The GOOD NEWS is: Forgiveness is available – to Marion Jones and to ALL of us!  God gave His Son to die on the cross to pay the price for our sins (Eph 1:7).   

He will forgive those who come to him in faith,
believing in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31)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 , turning from sin in

repentance (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 before men (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) in Jesus’ name (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 forgive those who continue to strive to follow His Word faithfully (1 John 1:7). 

Although each of us has been recognized in the “Hall of Shame,” through Jesus we may have our names recorded in the Lamb’s Book of Forgiveness and Life (Revelation 21:27). 

Won’t YOU trust and obey Him?

STILL LOOKING
28th Oct 07

A man described his mother as being love personified.  As a boy he found her sitting at the table with an old vagrant one day.  Apparently she had gone shopping, met the vagrant along the way, and invited him home for a warm meal. 

During the conversation the vagrant said, "I wish there were more people like you in the world."  Whereupon his mother replied, "Oh, there are.  But you must look for them." The old man simply shook his head, saying. "But, lady, I didn't need to look for you.  You looked for me!" That mother’s kindness exhibited a compassion that went out of its way to love the unlovely.

And THAT'S the story of our Savior's life, death and resurrection…  
He came looking for us  -- the bruised, the broken hearted, the wretched wanderer, the forgotten, the lost.  "For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10).

Our sins condemn us (John 8:24; Romans 6:23), but the Savior longs to FIND us and to SAVE us.  He is the Good Shepherd that not only looks for His lost sheep (Luke 15:4-7), but He also wants to add sheep to His fold of safety and security (John 10:16). 

To be found by Him, we must “hear His voice” and follow Him!  He calls us through His Word, the Bible, beckoning us to: believe in Christ, (John 8:24), “I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.” 

repenting of your sins (Acts 3:19), “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;” 

confessing your faith in Christ as God's Son (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 (immersed in water) for the forgiveness of your 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” 

Jesus IS love personified!  “THIS is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.  THIS is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins” (1 John 4:9-10). 

He’s still looking....  Has he found YOU?