The Singapore government is secular and true to its stand its decisions although include religious views, would be swayed more towards Mammon. It is thus not surprising from the spiritual perspective, Pandora’s box is already opened wider with the casino , now followed by the Crazy Horse Cabaret (because of “artistic merits’). What’s next I wonder?
One reason often mentioned when the issue of gay rights is raised is that our society is conservative. What if 20, 30 or 50 years from now we become more liberal, would integrated resorts include prostitution, gay parades and ecstasy parties for the upper class? After all we have prostitution in Geylang, Batam and Singaporeans are going to Indochina to sow wild oats. Why not include it when society become more ‘open’?
What about drug parties? Young professionals fly to KL for such parties over the weekend anyway. So if such activities bring in the tourist dollars with lots of counseling support provided by the government to a liberal society, imagine what 22nd century Singapore will be like?
Like the early Christians, we live in a pagan world. We should do our part in protecting the flock, strengthening them in the Word. Be a voice in the wilderness through proper governmental channels, of course (1 Pet.2:13). Teach our children discernment. An open mind without discernment is an open sewer. But it gets tougher as the spirit of the age builds up its stronghold. How will you advise your children working as an event manager or designer for an artistic show of nudity and lewdness, gay parties? Will they brush you aside as old fashioned because they are only “doing their job”, “using their talents”, “expressing themselves artistically”?
Will our children be like Lot attracted to the richness of the dazzling world good for mammon, or would they set themselves apart like Abraham?
Genesis 13:10 And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar.
Would they and even you be a business leader with great influence “sitting at the city gates” (Ge.19:1) yet have a warped sense of ethics (Ge. 19:6-8)?
The secular government is consistent with their belief. Are we true to ours?
May 19th, 2005
By Joanne
For this child I prayed, and the lord has granted me my petition. - 1 Samuel 1:27 NKJV
When a mother prays ………….
Every terrorist was once a child. So was every missionary. The only
difference between them, is the influence of a parent.
Samuel the Prophet led the nation of Israel for 40 years, and guided King
David in some of his most crucial decisions. But who was the dominant influence in his life? His mother! Listen, “Therefore I have lent him to the Lord; as long as he lives he shall be lent to the Lord” (1Sa 1:28 NKJV).
While you have your children, hold them, love them, care for them and
empower them. But understand that you are a steward - not an owner. Your children belong to God - not you! Some day they will grow up and leave. Make sure that when they do, they have a spiritual anchor, because life will give them lots of storms.
Never underestimate the power that comes when a parent pleads with God on behalf of a child. Who knows how many prayers are being answered right now, because of the faithful pondering of a mother 10 or 20 years ago.
If what you are doing in the fast-paced society is taking you away from
prayer time for your children - you’re doing too much! There is nothing
more special, more precious, than the time a parent spends interceding
with God on behalf of a child.
It’s not too late for the child who has brought you tears. Think of Jesus’
mother who had to watch her son crucified, but also had the joy of seeing him raised from the dead. You may go to your grave wondering if your prayers will ever be answered, but don’t stop praying. Why? Because when mothers pray - God listens!
Agape, Jo
May 17th, 2005
Why get baptised and do we need so much water?
Baptism was done in rivers where there was much water. If baptism is by sprinkling why do they go to rivers? They might as well sprinkle a person at home with a cup or a pail or even with a bucket beside a well.
Why immerse? Why get baptised? Read on…………
John 14:23-24 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me.
a) After His resurrection, what did Jesus say to His disciples about baptism?
Matthew 28:18-20 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Mark 16:15-16 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
b) After His resurrection, what did His apostles preach to non-believers about baptism?
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.
c) If a person claims to have a “religious experience” of encountering God, does he need to be baptized?
Jesus appeared to Paul on Paul’s way to Damascus.
In Acts 22 he recounted his experience and Paul said:
Acts 22:8-11 And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest. And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard not the voice of him that spake to me. And I said, What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go into Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do. And when I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of them that were with me, I came into Damascus.
Paul was told to be baptized by Ananias. For what purpose?
Acts 22:16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.
d) Similar type of question: Does baptism save us?
1 Peter 3:21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:
e) In what way does baptism in Jesus’ name involve us in His death, burial and resurrection?
Romans 6:3-11 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
f) How do we know that practice of baptism is NOT sprinkling with water?
In Greek baptism is “baptizo” meaning immerse, not sprinkling as practiced by some.
Read Romans 6 again (quoted in above question) - baptism is likened to burial. You do not bury by sprinkling
Baptism was done in rivers where there is much water. If baptism is by sprinkling why do they go to rivers? They might as well sprinkle a person at home with a cup or a pail or even with a bucket beside a well.
John 3:23 And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.
Matthew 3:5-6 Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan, and were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.
(Jordan is a name of a river)
Acts 8:35-39 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.
g) How do I get baptized?
1. First you must a) believe Acts 2:38 John 3:16, b) repent Acts 2:38 c) confess Ro.10:10 or declare that Jesus is the Son of God and d) baptized Acts 2:38, for the forgiveness of your sins (Acts 22: 16) as directed by Jesus (Matt.28:18-20, Mk 16:16) to participate in His death, burial and resurrection
2. Find a local church of Christ who will baptized
3. Once baptized you are now a part of the local church of Christ community
4. Be part of the church to be a contributing member of the Body
5. Be a discipled as purposed by the Scripture in the church of Christ
h) Can we make exceptions?
John 14:23-24 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me.
Deuteronomy 4:2 Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.
Revelation 22:18-19 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book..
May 16th, 2005
Joanne’s reflections from her recent loss…….
Isa 49:2b - … in the shadow of His hand He has hidden me, and made Me a
polished shaft; In his quiver, He has hidden me.
God prepares us in secret, in the shadow of His hand, away from public gaze.
God prepared Moses for a long period in the desert.
David was a fugitive for 14 years before he ascended the throne. Paul’s sojourn in the desert of Arabia prepared him for the ministry.
Very often, it is in the shadows of obscurity that God shapes our lives. The “shadow” may be in the shadow of pain, bereavement or failure(all bad
in the eyes of worldly humans). But it is precisely there, in the dark place- like the sword in the scabbard or an arrow in the quiver, that the weapon is kept rust-free and sharp.
Jas 1:2- Think it pure joy when in various trials.
How to be joyful in the midst of trial? We have a choice, think it or feel
it. The verse says to think it but most of the time we choose to feel it
and that’s where all the bitterness and resentments set in. It does not
mean that this is delusional- people who can do it are out of mind, it is
possible; possible with God’s help, possible if we think like Him.
Do we remember that during our darkest moment when we can’t find any reason to thank Him, there’s always our salvation that we can thank Him for? Most of the time, during our difficult times, when we need Him most, we choose to desert Him. We forgot that when we cry, He cries with us. He suffered to give us life, to free us from sin. Shouldn’t we reciprocate?
Questions to ponder:
How willing are we to wait patiently and accept God’s
timing in our affairs? Suffering with Him = glorification (Rom 8:17)
Are we willing to suffer with Him?
Do remember that time is not lost when we wait for God’s purposes to be
unfolded. After all, trials are blessings from God. They are purification
processes which helps us to shine at the end of it.
Agape, Jo
May 14th, 2005
