WHOSE RESOLUTIONS?

This week comes yet another New Year celebration of renewed hope and expectation. How quickly they sneak up! Apparently called age - but I can't remember! Many will make well intentioned, wonderful resolutions, hoping to become better people. A worldwide tradition!

Yet, as we move from January's positive possibilities into the gutsy grind of February reality, most of our wonderful New Year Resolutions get furtively filed in the bins of 'Next Year' for the optimists - or 'Despair', for the rest of us. Hopes born, pressures faced - life strikes again!

So what goes wrong? A question we all momentarily, dutifully ponder, before being relentlessly entrapped in the busyness of living in today's workaholic world.

Generally, our resolutions have the highest ideals of improving our life to better serve God, others or ourselves. Let's face it, if all our NYR's could be lived out, we would be better people, and the world would be a better place. How wonderful! How sad it so rarely happens!

I have walked this fraught road over the years, even though possessing a pretty strong will (Ask the wife! But I'm a pussycat really!) and determination to finish tasks I set my hand to. Yet when it comes to changing myself, I'm a failure. As are we all! Pardon, David! Yes, as are we all! For each one is trapped in the never-ending cycle of the sinful v spiritual natures that so troubled the great Apostle Paul. So right now, I have given up on me!

Am I defeated then? No! No! No! For I am slowly learning the art of letting God the Father, through the instruction of the Holy Spirit, turn me into a greater likeness of Jesus. Instead of working in my own strength, I am letting God's strength work within me. Now there's a new David's Doodling for you! Yes, God can change what we, His people, can't.

So often too, the changes He wants to make in us are not ones we see a necessity for, in ourselves! Funny that! We want to change the world, but first, He wants to change our heart!

How do we find out His plan for us? By saying, by meaning, by enacting the ultimate NYR of all.

"Lord, I give myself fully to you. May your will be done in my life from now on. I submit all I have and all I am to you. Change me Lord each day, more into the image of Jesus."

So this is my NYR for this year. Can it be yours too? Yes, it's the hardest, but finally, the most rewarding one of all.

Now too, as I look in the filing cabinet of my life, I see 'Next Year' and 'Despair' have gone, replaced by a new bin of life memories, namely 'God in Me'.

Happy 'new filing system' folks!

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FROM THE WORD

"If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. So it is written: “The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam, a life-giving spirit. The spiritual did not come first, but the natural, and after that the spiritual. The first man was of the dust of the earth, the second man from heaven. As was the earthly man, so are those who are of the earth; and as is the man from heaven, so also are those who are of heaven. And just as we have borne the likeness of the earthly man, so shall we bear the likeness of the man from heaven." (1 Corinthians 15:44b-49)

"Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." (2 Corinthians 3:17-18)

"Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live!" (Hebrews 12:9)

DAVID'S DOODLINGS

305. A foolish man can seek wisdom, the wise man godliness, while the godly man grows into the image of Christ.

306. A foolish man rests content in hope, a wise man finds faith, but the godly man unreservedly loves both God and man.

427. A foolish man seeks nothing, a wise man seeks 'to do', while the godly man desires 'to be'.

484. The foolish man lusts after instant pleasure, the wise man seeks knowledge, but the godly man yearns for God's truth.

485. Laziness begets foolishness, knowledge wisdom, but the truth, godliness.

There are 700+ David sayings for you to view at ...

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A MESSAGE FROM ROY

Although this PGIM! e-letter is sent free, some readers have decided to support this Ministry one or more times a year by sponsoring a week's PGIM! @ USD $50.00. Can I ask you to consider sponsoring a specified week/s? You will get an acknowledgement on your particular week/s of sponsorship (unless you do not want it). If you are interested to help this very informative & helpful newsletter, please email me, Roy McGreevy, as it is God who authored this idea through me in the USA. roy@kscbtv.com. I look forward to hearing from you... thanks. Roy

FROM YOU - TO ME - TO YOU

BRUCE'S RESPONSE AND MORE LETTERS TO BRUCE

For Bruce's original letter see Previous Week's Newsletter

FROM BRUCE...
I am amazed at the assumptions made of my brief comment on the Christian faith being, to my mind, one of the least corrupted messages from our Creator. I have not read or even heard of "Fingerprints of the Gods". I try not to judge anyone as they continue on their journey of Faith. And certainly do not try to put God in a box to further my own agenda.

David, I believe that you are following the path you have been shown, and look forward to your weekly postings. Please keep up the good work and your sense of humor. Lord knows we need as much as possible.

Bruce in Olympia, WA

TO BRUCE...

Dear David,
I always enjoy your news letter. It inspires me to continue onward. Could not resist replying to Jim and indirectly to Bruce:
Dear Jim,
there is no discontinuity between Christian speach and action, except when we are disobedient. The Bible states that there is one way, that Jesus is the way the light and the truth. What are the other sheepfolds referred to by Jesus? Why the goyim (gentiles) who will come to know Jesus. Why would God create more religions. There can only be one true religion. What kind of God would invent lots of religions. The main difference between other religions and Christianity is that in Christianity, God reaches down to us. In others we are trying to find Him, or replace him. Check other scriptures. ONly the Judao-Christina scriptures are in such harmony with each other.
Why does God need our intervention to protect marriage and family. Mainly because that is the way he made it. Jesus Christ is the head. We are the body. Jesus has chosen to work through the church. When he does come down to take care of it himself, there aremany of us who might not wish to be around. It is true that we sometimes use the Bible to justify certain things (e.g. slavery in the US), but those are aberations, becaue the church is concerned with sinful men. Until such time as we truly act as the body of Christ, doing his work, healing the sick, raising the dead, announcing liberty to captives, will we truly begin to see Jesus clearly.
Shalom in Yeshua ha Moshiach
Michael Joe Thannisch

ON 'WHO IS IN HEAVEN?'...
Dear David,
Trust that you had a good Christmas holiday.
I appreciate your comments in the last TGIF email. I'm oneness apostolic, but quite frankly (I'll get my self crucified for this statement), if that is all that is going to heaven, I hope the ones who make it are a bit more friendly than the ones who are here.
God Bless,
D...... (One crucifixion was enough!)

David,
I always enjoy reading your newsletter every Monday - it's a good jumpstart to the week. I find the differing viewpoints of Christianity interesting and, sadly, divisive. I know what I believe and will stand by the authority of the Word of God. At the same time, I recognize the right of others to differ in their opinions of certain ideas. As an old-time preacher once said, "In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity."
I have a theory (unproven by scripture, though certainly implied) that there exists just outside the Eastern gate, a dumpster. On that dumpster is a sign reading, DENOMINATIONAL ROBES HERE, and each person desiring admission must remove his or hers - only Christians will be admitted.
Bill from the U.S.

ON FUND RAISING...
Hi David,
Having been in self-supporting ministry for the last 5 years, I read Richard's letter with interest. And I must say I agree with you 100%. The Lord has provided for us in almost miraculous ways many times, but it has always come through someone else. Scripture tells us that it is not enough to say to a poor man "be clothed and fed" without doing anything about it. We are Christ's hand on earth.

Although there have been times when we have cried out to the Lord in near-despair, we remain convinced that He is always faithful and true to His word. We can only thank Him for the direct words of encouragement He has provided along the way - it may seem like 'simple' stuff, but these are truly the words of life: "trust Me like a child"; "(Don't sweat,) I know what time it is"; "TRUST GOD".

I thank the Lord for the absolute privilege of having been called to His service, and trust that one day we will also be able to support you financially in the work that you are doing.

Blessings in Jesus,
Shaun Gouws
PE Church Net, South Africa
p.s. I think the brain is the largest organ in the body, though probably the least used.

David
Thanks for this week's newsletter and all the previous ones.
Hooray for what you say. In the UK there are definite moves for various authorities to distance themselves from Christian symbols in order not to offend in our multi-cultural society. As a result Father Christmas is likely to take over. It is time indeed for all who claim our Lord as Saviour to unite in love, recognising and respecting each other's differences and yes distance ourselves from Santa.

God Bless,
Ken
Website http://www.seekinggod.org.uk

Dear David,
You've certainly had some interesting responses to Bruce's letter! I KNEW you would!
My reply would have been very short - It was Jesus who told us Who He was; where He'd come from and where He was going.

Our dear friend, David, isn't giving anyone his opinion or viewpoint but he is faithfully passing on what is written in Scripture. No-one can change the Truth - although many try to do so in order to make their views aeptable. In the end Truth remains firm. The Word is
Truth - it's like an anvil which is hammered and hit thousands of times but it still remains intact - and never breaks. Jesus Christ is Truth - and always will be. The Bible is attacked in the same way but nothing will 'dent it' or damage it - however, those who do the attacking or criticising will eventually have to 'bend' to it's truths.

At the Name of Jesus EVERY knee shall bow - - -"

The point about money has been taken and twisted too - sadly. I understand and truly believe that Roy was led by the Lord to touch the hearts (and wallets) of sincere
believers who want to SHARE in your ministry. They're definitely not being asked for money in a cold, caluculated way so that you can become rich.!! You are rich 'in
Christ' already! Sincere children of God, born-again in Christ give tithes, gifts and offerings in a way that honours Him - in obedience to Him; guided by prayer, not as
a response to human whims.
Every blessing - Love in Jesus,
Mollie Allen
P.S. if you think it right to do so perhaps you could forward my comments to the person who brought up the subject of money and who asked for his name to come off your list.

Dear David,
I had to respond to Richard's e-mail "ON FUNDRAISING "; I just received this e-mail message today and thought it was a good message to share with Richard and others... it is how the "Christmas magic is found in giving" and how it manifests the good in our lives daily..."giving and receiving" an act of kindness for one another... it is in asking that we receive...Philippians 4
Have a Blessed Christmas and may God Bless you and your family and keep you in His Tender Care... "Keep on, keeping on, until we catch on..."
Thanks for your time,
Marie and John Shea, Grand Island, NY USA
Here is the message received from Rev. Chris...
December 22, 2003 "Daily Inspiration" from www.PositiveChristianity.org
The worldwide Internet PRAYER PLACE welcoming all faiths, excluding no one.
If interested please look up the site as it is too long to print here. The article is called: CHRISTMAS MAGIC IS FOUND IN GIVING

Your comments to me or fellow readers are always welcomed at... david@wwj.org.nz

LAUGHING AT OURSELVES

***Blessed are those who can laugh at themselves for they shall never cease to be amused***

*** "Those who can't laugh at themselves leave the job to others." ***

226. MARRIED IN HEAVEN
A couple is driving to the chapel to get married. Tragically, they have an accident and both are instantly killed. They arrive in heaven, still so very much in love and petition an audience with God. They then ask God if they can still get married in heaven. God says that there is no reason to do so, it is not done, etc. The couple is persistent in professing their love and desire to be wed. God finally relents just a bit and says, "Okay, but first you must wait five years.

Five years go by; they are still eager to be wed, so they go to see God. And again, God tells them that they must wait another five years. The five years go by, and finally the couple has the wedding that they always dreamed of. However, after a few months, they begin to learn that being married is not the same as being engaged, and they appear before God seeking a divorce! God's response to their request: "What? It took Me 10 years to find a clergy person up here, and now you expect Me to find a lawyer?"

225.0000
225. THE MUMMY'S HEART FAILURE
An archaeologist was digging in the Negev Desert in Israel and came upon a casket containing a mummy. After examining it, he called the curator of a prestigious natural-history museum. "I've just discovered a 3,000 year-old mummy of a man who died of heart failure!" the excited scientist exclaimed. To which the curator replied, "Bring him in. We'll check it out."

A week later, the amazed curator called the archaeologist. "You were right about the mummy's age and cause of death. How in the world did you know?"

"Easy. There was a piece of paper in his hand that said, '10,000 Shekels on Goliath'."

Now one of the most comprehensive sources of Christian Humour on the Net with 600 sermon fillers for your entertainment and use at ...

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FACTS FOR FUN

LAST WEEKS QUESTION: What is our body's largest organ?

ANSWER: Skin!

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: Are fingernails considered skin?

Answer Next Week.

SOME FUN FACTS
858. PROLIFIC
Under optimum breeding conditions, one female cockroach can produce an amazing 2 million offspring in a single year – 35,000 at a time. (Only time to eat and breed! Makes rabbits look positively infertile!)

859. ROYAL CORDUROY
Comes from the French, ‘cord du roi’, which translated means, ‘cloth of the king’. (A royal cut above.)

860. HIM AND HER
Generally speaking, men are better at reading the small print than women, while women can hear better. (What did you say?)

A WORD PUZZLE FOR YOU

WADEADTER

Answer at the end of A David Musing

You can download a 250 item sample Trivia Book at Truly Trifling Trivia

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FREE MP3 DOWNLOAD OF THE WEEK

In association with Inspirational Tapes Ministries
inspirational.org.nz
we are pleased to offer you this inspirational MP3 download - absolutely free of charge!

A WALK OF FAITH

By: Dr Neal Patterson

One of the people I owe my walk to. Neal co-wrote a course that changed my life and now we attend a church he founded, many years ago. A highly respected teacher in New Zealand, throughout Asia and with PGIM! readers.

Download your free MP3 today at ...

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UNDERLYING SPIRITUAL MEANING OF NUMBERS IN THE BIBLE

1-----God
2-----Witness
3-----The Godhead
4-----Earth/Man
5-----Atonement or Grace
6-----Fallen man
7-----Completion, Perfection, Maturity
8-----New Beginnings, Resurrection
9-----Eternal perfection
10----Trial and testing
12----Divine government
40----Trial and testing
144---(12x12) New man in Christ, Ultimate government of God
666---Man setting himself up as God
888---Jesus

More interesting 'Churchspeak' can be found at...

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IT'S BETTER TO LAUGH THAN CRY!

PURCHASING POWER
I was browsing in a souvenir shop when the man next to me struck up a conversation.

Just as he was telling me that his wife was getting carried away with her shopping, a brief power shortage caused the lights to flicker overhead.

"Ah," he sighed, "that must be her checking out now."

TOUCHE!
A widow recently married a widower. Soon after the marriage she was accosted by a friend who laughingly remarked, "I suppose, like all men who have been married before, your husband sometimes talks about his first wife?"

"Oh, not any more, he doesn't," the other replied.

"What stopped him?"

"I started talking about my next husband."

AN OLD ONE BUT STILL TRUE
Two husbands were discussing their married lives. Although happily married, they admitted that there were arguments sometimes. Then Chad said, "I've made one great discovery. I now know how to always have the last word."

"Wow!" said Sherm, "how did you manage that?"

"It's easy," replied Chad. "My last word is always 'Yes, Dear.' "

Enough marriage and family humour here to upset everyone! Read it at...

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FAMOUS WORDS AND PHRASES FROM THE BIBLE

'THE BLIND LEADING THE BLIND'

Jesus himself coined this phrase in Matthew 15:14. He was describing false teachers who insisted they knew the truth, leading innocent people astray. We now use it to describe self important or deluded people.

Many more interesting Bible facts at...

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A DAVID MUSING

Isn't it amazing the way God works? In 3 weeks or so I am going to minister in the Philippines, which I am much looking forward to - or will be once the Christmas/New Year holiday season is over here.

A couple of days ago, I had an unsolicited email from a pastor who had visited our website, most unusually, asking how he could assist us in fulfilling our vision. Music to my ears!

More than somewhat interested, I looked to see where this pastor lived and remarkably, out of all the 1000's of cities in the world, he lives in the very city in the Philippines that I am visiting in 3 weeks time!

Of course, it was simply chance........

You mean, it wasn't! Thank you Lord - and Bing.

His servant and yours

David Tait

Today's Word Puzzle Answer: Dead in the water.

REPRODUCTION OF NEWSLETTER CONTENT

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DONATIONS

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CHANGING YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS - OR IF THE NEWSLETTER STOPS

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LINKS

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ABOUT US

WALKING WITH JESUS MINISTRIES is a non-profit, non-denominational, Bible based ministry located in Mount Maunganui, New Zealand. A ministry dedicated to developing discipleship, fostering unity amongst God’s people to achieve the Great Commission, and in doing so, preparing for Christ’s return. It is securely based upon the foundational principles of the Apostles Creed while recognising the wide and rich diversity of beliefs amongst Christians in other areas. In accordance with the Lord’s direction, materials produced by the ministry are available, free of charge, to genuine enquirers upon request. The ministry is solely funded by donations, as the Lord provides. A list of materials available (plus some fun!) is obtainable and freely downloadable from our website
wwj.org.nz or by contacting us as follows.

Walking With Jesus Ministries
3 Hetley Crescent
Taradale
Napier 4001
New Zealand

Phone: (06) 8449-377 International (+64) 8449-377
Email: enquiries@wwj.org.nz
Web: wwj.org.nz

Our role is to bless and encourage those in ministry while promoting co-operation and unity of direction amongst the body of Christ, as emphasised 3 times by Jesus in His longest prayer, immediately prior to His arrest and crucifixion. "… so that they may be one as we are one." (John 17:12, 21, 23-4)

For comments upon and contributions to this service, please contact
david@wwj.org.nz