A Weekly World Wide Word of Encouragement to those in the Ministry
PRAISE GOD IT’S MONDAY!
A WEEKLY ‘WWW (world-wide word) OF ENCOURAGEMENT’
TO THOSE IN MINISTRY
A FREE service, currently connecting with Christian leaders from 3,000 denominations and ministries, in 70 countries.
Issue No: 1173 Published: 27 May 2024
THINKING GREEK OR HEBREW
TRUTH OVER TIME
Greek (Western)
Greek thinkers see truth as static and unchanging. With our scientific approach, we believe that, although we may not fully understand all truth, it is out there, just waiting to be discovered.
Eastern (Hebrew)
Hebrew thinkers see truth as unfolding. Truth is revealed layer upon layer, over time.
3 Send forth your light and your truth, let them guide me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell. (Psalm 43:3)
11 Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. (Psalm 86:11)
A classic example of this difference in thinking is found in the different cultures attitudes towards prophecy. We look at prophecy as having a single fulfilment while in Jewish culture prophecy has ongoing applications through the ages.
The most important failure of Greek, or Western, thought in the area of unfolding truth is in our understanding of the kingdom of God.
Similarly, we view the kingdom as being in one place, which is found in heaven, up in the sky, once we die. What we fail to understand is that this is only one aspect of the truth. For the kingdom of God is multi-dimensional. If it were not so, how could we pray in the 'Lord's Prayer'.....
10 your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. (Matthew 6:10b)
The truth that the Lord is revealing today is that His kingdom is indeed here, on earth, as well as there, in heaven! As Greek thinkers, we have great difficulty in getting our heads around this concept. Also, it is 'inconvenient', for the excuse for living a less than holy life here on the 'devil's earth', suddenly disappears!
The reality is, as disciples, we are in the kingdom, and are to live a kingdom lifestyle from the moment in time we commit ourselves to Jesus.
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. 2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:1-2)
We need to understand that this reality of the kingdom is for us in the here and now.
The Coming of the Kingdom of God
20 Once, having been asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, “The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, 21 nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is within you.” (Luke 17:20-21)
It is firstly spiritual.....
17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, (Romans 14:17)
but is to become physical in the way we live our lives.....
Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. 3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. 4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. 5 For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a man is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. (Ephesians 5:1-5)
We are to be the light of the kingdom in the world.....
14 “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:14-17)
SOME SPIRITUAL IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY
1. We are God's kingdom in the world.
2. Is His kingdom light shining out of us?
3. A kingdom lifestyle is required of all true followers of Jesus.
(Continued next week)
Find out more about us here.....
FROM THE WORD
THE BEAUTIFUL WORDS OF JESUS
Jesus Warns the Disciples to be Prepared (Luke 22:35-8)
For His death.
“When I sent you out without money, without a bag, and without an extra pair of sandals, did you lack anything?”
But now, if you have money you should take it, as well as a bag, and if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one. I tell you that this statement in Scripture about me must be fulfilled: ‘He was counted with the wicked.’ What was said about me is now being fulfilled.
Jesus Comforts the Disciples (John:14:1-31)
In general.
“Don’t let your minds be anxious. Trust in God, trust in me as well. In my Father’s house there are many rooms. If this wasn’t so I would have told you. I’m going to prepare a place for you. Once I’ve gone and prepared a place for you, I will come again and take you with me, so that you can be there with me too. You know the way to where I’m going.”
To Thomas
“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you had known me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and you have seen him.”
To Philip
“Have I been with you such a long time, Philip, and yet you still don’t know me? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Don’t you believe that I live in the Father and the Father lives in me? The words I speak are not mine; it’s the Father living in me who is doing his work. Believe me when I tell you that I live in the Father, and the Father lives in me, or at least believe because of the evidence of all that I’ve done.
“I tell you the truth, anyone who trusts in me will do the same things I am doing. In fact they will do even greater things because I am going to the Father. I’ll do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified through the Son. Whatever you ask for in my name, I will do it.
If you love me, you will keep my commands. I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Comforter, the Spirit of truth, who will always be with you. The world cannot accept him because it isn’t looking for him and does not know him. But you know him because he lives with you and will be in you.
“I will not abandon you like orphans: I will come back to you. Soon the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you will live too. On that day you will know that I live in the Father, you e in me, and I live in you. Those who keep my commands are the ones who love me, those who love me will be loved by my Father. I will love them too, and will reveal myself to them.”
To Judas (not Iscariot)
“Those who love me will do as I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with them. Those who don’t love me don’t do what I say. These words don’t come from me, they come from the Father who sent me.
“I’m explaining this to you while I’m still here with you. But when the Father sends the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, in my place, he will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you.
“Peace I leave you; my peace I’m giving you. The peace I give you is nothing like what the world gives.
Don’t let your minds be anxious, and don’t be afraid.
“You’ve heard me tell you, ‘I am going away, but I will come back to you.’ If you really loved me, you would be happy because I’m going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. I’ve explained this to you now
before it happens so that when it does happen you will be convinced. I can’t talk to you much longer, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no power to control me, but I’m doing what my Father told me to do so that the world will know that I love the Father.
Now get up. Let’s go.”
Download the whole of THE WORDS OF JESUS at.......
***NOW***NINE BOOKS ARE AVAILABLE ON AMAZON!!!
9 BOOKS are now available on Amazon (Kindle)!
All are available worldwide for electronic download on Amazon (Kindle) for $US0.99c . Unfortunately there has to be a charge in order to list.
Your support would be appreciated and they could well change your life!
These and many more are availble for free online at https://www.wwj.org.nz/more-free-downloads
They Amazon books are all found at this link.....
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=david+tait+books/
*DAVID"S DOODLINGS
Enjoy some of David's sayings here, plus 1300 more on the website at.....
'THE WORDS OF JESUS' REMAIN AVAILABLE FOR PDF DOWNLOAD
Join the many who have downloaded the 'The Words of Jesus'. I am sure you will be blessed by it, as I have been.
One key element here is the setting out in chronological order (as far as it is possible to do so) our Lord's words drawn from all the Gospels, and the elimination of repetition between Gospels.
You may be surprised by the different perspective this presentation gives you both in understanding of His life and ministry, and in achieving a closer relationship with Him.
Download the free PDF here.....
Available on Amazon at $1 at Author name - David Tait
DAVID'S DOODLINGS
883. Revelation is revolutionary, religion, counter-revolutionary.
884. Religion is the opiate of the masses, while revelation reveals the heart of God.
885. One man's revelation quickly becomes another's religion.
886. Religion suffocates revelation.
887. Religion is centered upon man's needs, revelation upon the will of God.
888. When religion embraces a revelation, it's time for new revelation!
889. Revelation builds, religion stifles.
890. Many say, 'give me religion', but few, 'give me revelation'.
CARTOONS FROM TOON FEVER
Visit the Toon Fever website for more cartoon fun..... http://www.toonfever.com
Check it out at...
'LAUGHING AT OURSELVES
Another laugh or three for you today
Many more on our website below. Also many, may, many more under these categories on our website, wwj,org,nz Look under the heading MAINLY LAUGHS. Choose from.....
THIS WEEKS TUESDAY TEACHING.....
THIS WEEK: 12 LESSONS TO BE LEARNED FROM‘DIVIDING THE WATERS’ continues
As we consider the vital question of how, as individuals, are to live in God's kingdom now.
LAUGHING AT OURSELVES
***Blessed are those who can laugh at themselves for they shall never cease to be amused***
492. Spirit in a Vacuum
I once heard a preacher say that it's man's spirit that makes him different from animals.
That may be true, but I think there's one other thing that separates us from animals. We aren't afraid of vacuum cleaners.
493. The Purchase
I don't know what's wrong with my television set. I keep getting Christian TV and the Home Shopping Network on the same channel. I actually bought a church choir the other night.
494. Harold
A dad was listening to little Carol say her prayers.
"Dear Harold," Carol prayed, "please bless mom and daddy and..."
At this point, the dad interrupted and said, "Wait a minute, sweetie. Why are you calling God 'Harold'?"
Carol looked up and said, "That's what they call Him in church. You know -- the prayer where we all say, 'Our Father who art in Heaven, Harold be Thy name.' "
KWIK QWIP: “Funny how we can't think of anything to say when we pray,
but don't have any difficulty thinking of things to talk about to a friend.”
495. Made It
A pastor who enjoyed bragging on his son was talking one day with a friend, who happened to be a rabbi.
The pastor said "My son was a star on his high school baseball team."
"That's nice," said the rabbi, "and after that?"
"Well," said the pastor, "after that he went to Harvard and graduated summa cum laude."
"Not bad,"said the rabbi thoughtfully, "and after that?"
"So then he went to law school at Georgetown and was editor of the law review."
"Hmmm. And after that?" asked the rabbi.
"Well, as soon as he graduated from law school, the biggest law firm in New York immediately made him a full partner!"
"Not bad. Is that all?" the rabbi quietly asked.
The pastor, clearly irritated, said, "Is that ALL! What do you expect -- that my son should become God or something?"
The rabbi shrugged and said, "Well -- one of OUR boys made it."
Download the book 'Laughing At Ourselves' in PDF format at LAUGHING AT OURSELVES One of the most comprehensive sources of Christian Humour on the Net with 800 sermon fillers for your entertainment and use at ..... https://www.wwj.org.nz/content/wwj18p47.pdf
Or read even more online at.....
A DAVID MUSING
Last week, as an extra to my normal reading of my bible, I decided to read the Book of Hebrews, right through. This can give you an overall picture of what the book is saying.
Two words stood out to me - 'rest' (in the Lord) and 'obedience'.
Resting in the Lord, putting all our burdens onto Him, is a huge benifit to those walking with Jesus.
Sadly, most of retain our problems, refusing to let them go. Nothing is too big for God to handle!
Obedience to the will of Jesus is of primary importance in our Jesus walk. Salvation is free, but truly following Him costs us our life.
Very few are prepared to pay the price. We want the benefits but are not prepared to reciprocate.
I am.
How about you?
His servant and yours
David Tait
Visit us here.....
CHANGING YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS? NEWSLETTER STOPS COMING?
Each week we can lose up to 2% of our readers when they change email addresses without letting us know. Or sometimes, by your server acting strangely and just cutting us off! If you are about to change your address, please advise us of both your old and new addresses here at
enquiries@wwj.org.nz and we will happily change our records to ensure ongoing delivery. Thanks.
Please also keep our address in your address book, as sometimes servers will automatically delete your address if there is even a one off problem in delivery. If your newsletter doesn't arrive, please let us know and we will reinstate you.
REPRODUCTION OF NEWSLETTER CONTENT
Most weeks we get enquiries about reproducing, in electronic or print form, articles contained in 'PGIM!' We welcome and encourage you to utilize this material. Freely received, freely given. We would ask though, that the source be acknowledged as an encouragement to others to subscribe to this newsletter also.
LINKS
If you would like to link your web site to ours, and ours to yours, please advise us onlinks@wwj.org.nz
ABOUT US
WALKING WITH JESUS MINISTRIES is a non-profit, non-denominational, Bible based ministry located in Hastings, 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
P O Box 2
Webuye 50205
Kenya
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) Our website is currently being developed to encourage your participation one with another, to share resources, and to enable you to promote events and items of interest to the body as a whole - and have a smile while doing it!
For comments upon and contributions to this service, please contact
david@wwj.org.nz