WHO IS YOUR GOD?

This question would seem to be easy to answer - but is it really? The reply needs to be considered in the Philippines, the world, and in New Zealand, to which I have now returned.

Last week's 'A David Musing' posed the question of how to achieve a balance between family life and ministry. Some helpful replies are found below in the correspondence section.

Yet, I suspect for many of us, that the source of ministry and family problems goes right to the heart of our faith. For it is becoming increasingly obvious that, in many situations, 'the church' is again, like the Old Testament priests, placing itself between man and God.

The reality, if we are truly honest about it, often is that our church, denomination or grouping is more important in our lives than is God. In fact, it has replaced God at the centre of our 'religious' experience.

Please do not automatically dismiss this as the wild thought of a 'demented Kiwi', but consider deeply where our final loyalty and source of authority lies. Is it truly in God, or in the group of people we are a part of, the ones we relate to?

Of course, we all need to follow Biblical principles of accountability and relationship, one with the other, as a safety net in ministry. But it is so easy for the group to become 'god' to us. As humans, we like to belong, for we are social beings. So who do we go to for guidance and assistance? Ourselves, others, or seek out God's view first?

While travelling, I have had ample opportunity to set up a large new grouping of Walking With Jesus Churches, but I know this is not God's will. It's not where God's heart is. Rather, He is looking for unity of Spirit, an end time grouping of people fully sold out to Him, prepared to seek out and act upon His instructions. Not a church in the sense we know it, but people from within many churches who are prepared to sacrifice their own ambitions and desires for His. Not to build a particular church or denomination but working in harmony of Spirit to build God's Kingdom upon the earth.

Impossible? A pipe dream! No. Rather, the reality of God's call to His people today. Let each of us truly make God the master and centre of our life today.

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FROM THE WORD

" When the dew was gone, thin flakes like frost on the ground appeared on the desert floor. When the Israelites saw it, they said to each other, “What is it?” For they did not know what it was. Moses said to them, “It is the bread the LORD has given you to eat. This is what the LORD has commanded: ‘Each one is to gather as much as he needs. Take an omer for each person you have in your tent.’” The Israelites did as they were told; some gathered much, some little. And when they measured it by the omer, he who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little. Each one gathered as much as he needed. Then Moses said to them, “No one is to keep any of it until morning.” However, some of them paid no attention to Moses; they kept part of it until morning, but it was full of maggots and began to smell. So Moses was angry with them. Each morning everyone gathered as much as he needed, and when the sun grew hot, it melted away. On the sixth day, they gathered twice as much—two omers for each person—and the leaders of the community came and reported this to Moses. He said to them, “This is what the LORD commanded: ‘Tomorrow is to be a day of rest, a holy Sabbath to the LORD. So bake what you want to bake and boil what you want to boil. Save whatever is left and keep it until morning.’” So they saved it until morning, as Moses commanded, and it did not stink or get maggots in it. “Eat it today,” Moses said, “because today is a Sabbath to the LORD. You will not find any of it on the ground today. Six days you are to gather it, but on the seventh day, the Sabbath, there will not be any.” "(Exodus 16:14 -25)

"This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything." (1 John 3:16-20)

DAVID'S DOODLINGS

GOD’S REST (4 OF 4)
FREE GIFTS
One of the most important things I have had to learn in my walk with Jesus is not to strive in my own power, but rather to rest in Him and let Him do it all. I am learning – sometimes slowly!

God’s free gift to us is salvation; ours to others is – a smile.

oooOooo

God's gift of salvation is free, but to reap the full benefits, costs us our life.

oooOooo

Salvation costs us nothing, but cost Jesus everything.

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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

AN EXPERIENCE FROM THE PHILIPPINES

I unfortunately missed out on preaching to the largest, 10,000 member congregation in Davao - although I did get to meet most of them.

My host Rolando's church is based in the slum area and is attended by 50 people and 9,950 mosquitoes! The majority of the members are water baptised at birth in the stagnant pools surrounding the church.

A blood sucking Filipino experience.

FROM YOU - TO ME - TO YOU

ON MINISTRY AND FAMILY
Dear David,
Some things that I found that helped:
Make sure my family has me one day a week.
Make sure I teach my kids that God is the centre of our lives.
Take time to pray on my own, and with my wife and with my whole family.
Study the word together with my wife and kids.
Not let my wife get dragged in any deeper than she really wants to (this was VERY importatn in Honduras, one lay pastor I knew had his wife in charge of the women's auxilary, one daughter in charge of accolytes, and the other in charge of Sunday School. You can imagine what it was like when he moved on)
Shalom in Yeshua ha Moshiach
Michael Joe Thannisch

Hi David,
Regarding what to do about the conflict between finances and ministry:
The financial solution is easy if you just follow this easy 5 step process:
1. Buy copious amounts of life insurance.
2. Die.
3. Get your wife to collect the insurance.
4. Get resurrected.
5. Repeat with your wife.
You could feasibly complete this process in a single afternoon!
Love your articles. Keep up the good work!
Blessings,
David Noble
President
Barnabas Consulting Inc.

Dear David,
I'm minded of the quote from Teresa of Avila: "It is possible for a married person to make spiritual progress ... but only at a chicken's pace." The difficulty you mention seems to have existed at least since the 16th century.

Maybe the real question is what we consider "spiritual progress" - or "balancing family life with ministry." In fact, it's a particular problem in those branches of Quakerism that refuse to make use of paid professional pastors, all of whose ministry and pastoral care is done by volunteers. And one of the first questions a clearness committee
looking into the validity of a divine call will ask is whether the Friend is (probably unconsciously) seeking to be of service to God to avoid difficulties or unpleasant areas of her or his family life.

I might recommend, against the Carmelite thrust of Teresa's comment, the balanced approach of the Rule of Benedict. Benedict of Nursia (5th-6th century) was the first to publish a monastic rule in the West, drawing on earlier works of Cassian and Anthony the Great (4th century). His Rule emphasized balance - personal devotion, public worship, study, work, and recreation. If too much time and attention were given to any
one of these, he held, it would detract from the totality of the work God was calling us to.

And about 50 years earlier than Teresa of Avila, Ignatius of Loyola insisted that a person's house be in order in preparation to recognize and respond to God's call.

Obviously these aren't hard-and-fast rules. Sometimes God calls us despite lack of preparation, lack of time, lack of funds. And we're still expected to respond; to drop the nets on the shore, leave the boats in our fathers' keeping, and follow the Lord. Yet they're good considerations to keep in mind.

Another question a Quaker clearness committee will almost always ask is, "What are you prepared to lay down in order to take up this new ministry?" If there's no good answer, the clearness committee will often ask the person to pray over it, and then to come back. When no answer is forthcoming, which sometimes happens, one possible conclusion
is that the person is too attached to previous activities, and this is a clear stop to beginning something new. A second is that the previous activities need to be brought to a conclusion before the new one is undertaken.

I don't know if anybody will be helped by my thoughts and experience. But I think it's important to recognize that conflicts - time, money, attention - are part of the condition God has placed us in, not some remarkable new burden of an overdemanding society.

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." ***

240. PREACHER AND THE CHOIR DIRECTOR
Church feuds are not uncommon, especially among cliques in the congregation. But when the Pastor and choir director get into it, stand aside.

One week our preacher preached on commitment, and how we should dedicate ourselves to service. The director then led the choir in singing, 'I Shall Not Be Moved.'

The next Sunday, the preacher preached on giving and how we should gladly give to the work of the Lord. The choir director then led the song, 'Jesus Paid It All.'

The next Sunday, the preacher preached on gossiping and how we should watch our tongues. The hymn was 'I Love To Tell The Story.'

The preacher became disgusted over the situation, and the next Sunday he told the congregation he was considering resigning. The choir then sang 'Oh, Why Not Tonight.'

When the preacher resigned the next week, he told the church that Jesus had led him there and Jesus was taking him away. The choir then sang, 'What A Friend We Have in Jesus.'

239. YOU MIGHT BE A PROTESTANT!
1. If you believe you are supposed to take a covered dish to heaven.
2. If you have never sung the third verse of any hymn.
3. If you have ever put an IOU in the collection plate.
4. If you complain because your Pastor only works one day a week and then he works too long.
5. If you think God's presence is always strongest in the back three pews.
6. If you think "Victory in Jesus" is the national anthem.
7. If the first complete sentence you uttered was "We've never done it this way before."
8. If you judge the quality of the sermon by the amount of sweat worked up by the preacher.
9. If your definition of "fellowship" has something to do with food.
10. If you think worship service music has to be loud.
11. If you think Jesus actually used Welch's grape juice and unsalted crackers.
12. If you think preachers who wear robes are in cahoots with the Catholics.

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A FILIPINO EXPERIENCE

Pedestrian crossings are numerous in the cities and towns of the Philippines. The only problem is that motorists don't take any notice of them! Crossing the road anywhere is always at the pedestrians risk - including pedestrian crossings!

A cautionary Filipino experience.

FACTS FOR FUN

LAST WEEKS QUESTION: Are brown eggs different from white eggs?

ANSWER: Brown and white eggs are identical in terms of nutritional value both having the same composition. The colour of the egg is determined by the ancestry of the hen that lays it. White eggs are produced by hens originating in the Mediterranean area, while brown eggs are produced by hens originally coming from Asia.

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: Why are zero scores in tennis called "love"?

Answer Next Week.

SOME FUN FACTS

837. REMEMBER THE GREAT MOLASSES FLOOD OF 1919?
You Don’t! It did happen! On January 15, 1919 in Boston, 21 people, a dozen horses, and a cat met sudden and untimely ends in a gooey flood of hot molasses travelling at about 35 miles per hour. (Don’t let the goo glue to you!)

838. POTENT MEDICINE
Bayer was advertising cough medicine containing heroin in 1898. (Would soon forget the cough, even if it didn’t go away.)

839. 4 x 4 ARMADILLOS
Armadillos almost always have four identical young of the same sex. The baby armadillos develop from the same egg, which splits into quarters. (Seen one, seen ‘em all.)

A WORD PUZZLE FOR YOU

RASINGINGIN

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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A FILIPINO EXPERIENCE

Just before leaving, I was taken to a 500 store Shopping Mall which was huge, covering 4 floors in one of the suburbs of Manila.

I was told that this was a small mall, the largest being 3-4 times the size. Indeed that one is the largest mall in Asia. You can't see all of it in a day!

There is a huge gap between the rich and the poor in this country, with very few people in between. A result of the terrible corruption that pervades all areas of society - including some of the church.

If you are donating money to this country, as is the case with many others too, you need to be sure that it is getting to where it is meant to go. Demand accountability.

A fascinating Filipino experience.

BE INSPIRED WITH INSPIRATIONAL TAPES

Take a look at the wide range of over 4,000 tapes from speakers old and new, to be found at Inspirational Tapes. Built up over 30 years, this library contains many tapes and teachings unavailable elsewhere.

Free MP3 downloads will recommence on 23 February.

In the meantime, inspect the full range at...

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REVIVAL CONTINUES IN UGANDA AFTER 18 MONTHS

Hullo Dear (Kathy and David),

Long time since we last met in Uganda.

God bless you for the mighty work that you did when you came to Uganda in Kiboga District.
I assure you that the seed has sprouted and we have experienced a mighty revival there.

Musinguzi Edgar Mujuni

THE TWO MARATHONERS - ANOTHER ALLEGORY

If you enjoyed the allegory 2 weeks ago, 'Up The Mountain', then this will appeal to you too.

Try it out in PDF format at …

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PUN FUN!

Sit back, relax the mouth, and enjoy!

RUNNING LATE
A tour bus load full of noisy tourists arrives at Runnymede, England. They gather around the guide who says, "This is the spot where the barons forced King John to sign the Magna Carta."

A man pushing his way to the front of the crowd asks, "When did that happen?"

"1215," answers the guide.

The man looks at his watch and says, "Ah, too Bad!! Just missed it by a half hour!"

I GET IT!
A young lawyer decided that his life needed a hobby. Since his buddies talked about sailing, he thought he'd give it a go. He went to the local boat show and asked a lot of questions. Everything seemed to be going well when he said, "How do you dock the boat?"

The salesman replied, "Well, you really don't dock the sailboat, you tie it up to a float just beyond the dock. This way you don't bang up the finish on the craft."

"Well then," the lawyer asked, "How do you get out to the sailboat?"

"Good question." The salesman told him that you can get a small raft and paddle out to the boat, or just walk out to the boat, if you don't mind getting wet.

"Oh, I get it," the lawyer replied. "It's Row vs Wade."

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FAMOUS WORDS AND PHRASES FROM THE BIBLE

A LAND FLOWING WITH MILK AND HONEY

God used these words about Israel when explaining the Promised Land In Exodus 3:8. A prosperous place.

Many more interesting Bible facts at...

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A DAVID MUSING

To return home to wife and family is an experience that quickly brings you back to the reality of day to day life. Truly when your maturity in God is tested!

I am very grateful for the sacrifices my wife and family make in enabling me to travel. And for keeping me in close touch with the challenges of living life in today's world!

Thank you Kathy, thank you kids.

His servant and yours

David Tait

Today's Word Puzzle Answer: Singing in the Rain.

REPRODUCTION OF NEWSLETTER CONTENT

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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