THE WORLD OUT OF MAN

Spending more than a few days in the wonderful country of South Africa for the very first time, mixing with people from all races and background, it is readily apparent that the cultural and ethnic diversity is more defined than in any other place I have visited. This is of course, a carryover from the days of apartheid when sadly racial divisions were entrenched in the country’s political and legal systems.

Lest we get all self-righteous, let us never forget that non-legalised racism is endemic in virtually all countries that contain a mix of people from different cultures, whether their skin colour is different or not. Countries of homogonous culture and race are not exempt from this either although here, antagonism is usually directed towards outsiders.

For people fit in comfortably with those of similar backgrounds to themselves and are inherently suspicious of those who aren’t. That is simply our human nature.

So here in South Africa, even though apartheid has been abolished, there are still major schisms between the various groups that go to make up society. Reconciliation between blacks, coloureds and whites is the ongoing challenge that faces this land. While we can change the law, it takes a much longer time to adjust our hearts and behaviour to match.

It’s the same in Jesus too. While it is relatively easy for most, but not all (ask a Moslem or Hindu) to make a decision for Christ, to become a ‘believer’, the inward change required to grow into a ‘disciple’, to take on the nature of Jesus, is a lifelong, ongoing process. This is the challenge that each one of us faces in our walk with Jesus. There is no way to do it in our own strength, for it runs against our human nature. It is only as we let the Father, through the Holy Spirit, touch and mould our lives into the image of Jesus that we individually, and society itself, will really change.

For the dark skinned want to be lighter, lighter skinned darker, and those in between, a different shade of brown. Now, what colour was Jesus really….. !!!

Find out more about us on…

http://www.wwj.org.nz/about.html

FROM THE WORD

THE MYSTERY OF THE GODHEAD - WHO GOD IS (2 of 6)
There is but one God with one nature expressed in 3 different ways

GOD THE SON
God revealed in human form. The creator and ruler of the universe.

"He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross." (Colossians 1:15-20)

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it." (John 1:1-5)

"In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe." (Hebrews 1:1-2)

DAVID’S DOODLINGS

HEAVENLY TRUTHS GOD HAS SHOWN ME (2 of 12)

Unexpectedly given one afternoon when I wasn't feeling very well. How often God works like that! Kept my human input to a minimum.

God has shown me that...

... repentance benefits me even more than the one I have wronged.

... the nearer I get to Him, the further away I discover I really am.

... fear of the Lord is positive, not negative.

... the more I fear Him, the more He loves me.

... the more I fear Him, the more I am prepared to change my life.

... the fear and love of Him are intertwined.

Please feel free to quote these quotes. Acknowledgement of David Tait as the author would be appreciated. There are now more than 800 David sayings for you to view at ...

http://www.wwj.org.nz/dd.php

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

A SOUTH AFRICAN EXPERIENCE

Years ago the Lord gave me a message to share with his people. For years too, I have struggled at many times with scepticism, or simple lack of interest and understanding of many, but not all, my peers and those whom I have been blessed to share the message of the times with.

Yet landing in South Africa, tired after a 30+hour trip from New Zealand I was taken to a meeting where a pastor from Singapore, Yang Tuck Yoong, was sharing the same kingdom message. It was being heartily being received by those listening. How it uplifted my spirit! And here in the Africa’s southernmost city of Cape Town, I have found numbers of pastors and people sharing the same heart and message the Lord has given me.

Thank you Capetown, for the encouragement you have been to a weary fellow traveller.

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." ***

255. THE MONK'S SOUND
A man is driving down the road and breaks down near a monastery. He goes to the monastery, knocks on the door, and says, "My car broke down. Do you think I could stay the night?"

The monks graciously accept him, feed him dinner, even fix his car. As the man tries to fall asleep, he hears a strange sound. The next morning, he asks the monks what the sound was, but they say, "We can't tell you. You're not a monk."

The man is disappointed but thanks them anyway and goes about his merry way. Some years later, the same man breaks down in front of the same monastery. The monks again accept him, feed him, even fix his car. That night, he hears the same strange noise that he had heard years earlier.

The next morning, he asks what it is, but the monks reply, "We can't tell you. You're not a monk."

The man says, "All right, all right. I'm dying to know. If the only way I can find out what that sound was is to become a monk, how do I become a monk?"

The monks reply, "You must travel the earth and tell us how many blades of grass there are and the exact number of sand pebbles. When you find these numbers, you will become a monk."

The man sets about his task. Some forty-five years later, he returns and knocks on the door of the monastery. He says, "I have travelled the earth and have found what you have asked for. There are 256,897,103,145,236,284,232 blades of grass and 561,281,219,999,129,382,756,124,512,999 sand pebbles on the earth."

The monks reply, "Congratulations. You are now a monk. We shall now show you the way to the sound."

The monks lead the man to a wooden door, where the head monk says, "The sound is right behind that door."

The man turns the knob, and behind that door he is amazed to find the source of that strange sound.

But I can't tell you what it is because you're not a monk.

254. AN HONEST PRAYER
A little boy was overheard praying: "Lord, if you can't make me a better boy, don't worry about it. I'm having a real good time like I am.

Now one of the most comprehensive sources of Christian Humour on the Net with 670 sermon fillers for your entertainment and use at ...

http://www.wwj.org.nz/laugh.php

FACTS FOR FUN

LAST WEEKS QUESTION: What famous author read in Braille even though he wasn't blind?

ANSWER: Aldous Huxley, author of Brave New World, learned Braille so that he could rest his eyes and still read. Huxley's eyes pained him when he read too much for his eyesight was failing. One of the benefits of learning Braille, Huxley said, was being able to read in bed in the dark!

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: Are elephants really afraid of mice?

Answer Next Week.

SOME FUN FACTS
816. GOUGING AS A SPORT!
It's not around anymore, but in the Ohio River Valley area in the early 19th century, "gouging" was a popular frontier sport. The object of the game: to gouge your opponent's eye out with your thumbnail. (Wonder if ‘an eye for an eye’ applied?)

817. COOL MINTS
Mints don't actually reduce the temperature inside your mouth, but they do make your mouth feel cooler. For the menthol in mints stimulates certain nerve cells which normally react only to heat to respond and so you feel cooler inside. (Real cool – eh!)

818. BROWN OR WHITE? EGGS THAT IS!
Brown and white eggs are identical in terms of nutritional value and they have 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 originating in Asia. (Avoid the mental ‘eggs-ercise’ – it doesn’t really matter which you buy!)

A WORD PUZZLE FOR YOU
Make another word from this word using all the letters.
EDIFY

Answer at the end of A David Musing

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

Or view all 1200 online at...

http://www.wwj.org.nz/facts.php

ANOTHER SOUTH AFRICAN EXPERIENCE

It has always been a dream of mine to preach in a tent! For my first spiritual father, a wonderful man of God in New Zealand by the name of Alan Thrift, used to tell me of his days of travelling around the East Coast of New Zealand, preaching in a tent to our indigenous Maori people.

My first host here, George Paige, has been telling me about his churches planned Easter Outreach, to be held in a tent seating 3,000 people. Struck a chord in my heart! Then last night I was taken to another church which is meting in temporary premises of – yes you guessed it – a tent! My dream came true! A very ‘ up market’ tent it was too! The carpet on the ground ‘floored’ me! Not like the East Coast of New Zealand, I am sure! And a beautiful meeting it was too, bathed in the Holy Spirit’s gentle presence.

Thank you Cape Town for a truly memorable fulfilment of a dream.

BE INSPIRED WITH A MESSAGE FROM INSPIRATIONAL TAPES

This amazing New Zealand resource has over 4,000 messages ranging from old classics to the latest revelation and teaching. A number of free MP3 downloads are available or you can order tapes and CD’s from the site for worldwide delivery at a most reasonable cost. Our free weekly MP3 download selections will be available again from mid-June.

Visit the library now at…

http://www.inspirational.org.nz

DID YOU KNOW…?

There are 6.2 billion people alive,
600 million churchgoers every week,
1.5 billion Christians who regularly listen to or watch Christian radio and TV,
1,883 million 'lay people' (99.8% of church membership),
150 million Christian pilgrims each year,
250 million Christians who travel abroad as tourists each year,
50 global prayer networks (35 active),
25 million in full-time prayer ministry,
15 million weekly prayer groups,
200 million Christians praying for world mission every day,
3.45 million local churches,
33,800 denominations,
23,000 ministries and agencies,
400,000 base ecclesial communities,
481,000 Christian institutions,
170,000 Christian schools,
1,500 Christian colleges and universities,
4,800 Bible Schools and Theological Seminaries,
5,500 Christian hospitals,
30,000 Christian medical centres,
58% of Christians are rich (11% wealthy, 37% comfortable, 10% getting by),
42% of Christians are poor (29% needy, 13% in poverty),
average Christian income: US$ 8,050 p.a.,
average donation per person and week: US$ 2.75,
1.1 million ordained clergy (8% women),
500,000 monks and 1.3 million nuns,
1.2 million professional theologians,
3,000 evangelistic events each year.
Source: World Christian Trends, William Carey Library, David Barrett &Todd
Johnson, http://www.gem-werc.org/gd/gd.htm in "Resources for Mission"

Heaps more facts on God and the church at…

http://www.wwj.org.nz/gfacts.php

A SOUTH AFRICAN’S EXPERIENCE

As the Pastor of House of Healing Christian Centre Cape Town, that hosted David Tait on his trip to Cape Town I have seen the hand of God move in a miraculous way during David’s visit with us. Because of my personal knowledge of the circumstances faced by my members, I could see the full effect of his ministry. On our first night of meetings we saw the restoration of the bond between a mother and daughter who both were slain by the spirit and were filled with tears. What is more important were the after effects that was clearly seen by all who knows that family and that was the renewal of the love that was lost between that particular mother and daughter.

On the second day our meeting was moved to the alternate venue at our branch church in Wesbank. There we also saw the hand of God manifested. David instructed us to pack away the chairs to experience the liberty which comes by fully expressing our worship of the Holy Spirit. This experience caused us to move in a higher state of joy in the Lord.

I know that our local church will never be the same again. We give God all the glory for His servant David Tait and the ministry that God has given him.

God bless you David and continue doing that which God has called you to do.

Pastor George Paige
(Senior Pastor of House of Healing Christian Centre)

A NEW VIRUS HAS BEEN FOUND

!!! There is a new virus going around, called "work".

!!! If you receive any sort of "work" at all, whether via email, internet or simply handed to you by a colleague...DO NOT OPEN IT.

!!! Work has been circulating around our building for months and those who have been tempted to open "work" or even look at "work" have found that their social life is deleted and their brain ceases to function properly.

!!! If you do encounter "work" via email or are faced with any "work" at all, then to purge the virus, send an email to your boss with the words "Sorry... I'm off to the pub". The "work" should automatically be deleted from your brain.

!!! If you receive "work" in paper-document form, simply lift the document and drag the "work" to your garbage can. Put on your coat and skip to the nearest bar with two friends and order three bottles of beer.

!!! After repeating this action 14 times, you will find that "work" will no longer be of any relevance to you.

!!! Send this message to everyone in your address book. If you do not have anyone in your address book, then I'm afraid the "work" virus has already corrupted your life. If you receive no replies, they have been corrupted too.

Many more humoro(u)s extensive explanations of life's experiences at…

http://www.wwj.org.nz/exex.php

UP THE MOUNTAIN

An exciting yet challenging allegory of one man’s spiritual journey and his participation in the fulfilment of God’s plan.

A free PDF download at…

http://www.wwj.org.nz/pdf/bk3.pdf

FAMOUS WORDS AND PHRASES FROM THE BIBLE

THE APPLE OF MY EYE

First used in Deuteronomy 32:10 to describe God's view of Israel. The Hebrew word means 'centre' or 'pupil' of the eye, but is poetically used to refer to someone or something highly esteemed by another.


Many more God Facts at...

http://www.wwj.org.nz/gfacts.php

A DAVID MUSING

Coming to South Africa has been just like being at home, for the countries have so many similarities and share much common heritage. And, of course, the sports of rugby and cricket.

So one has the opportunity to meet new people while feeling entirely at home. The best of both worlds!

Cape Town is a beautiful place and the people very friendly and keen to move on in the Lord. I will be sad to leave today.

His servant and yours

David Tait

Word Puzzle Answer: DEIFY

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.

Subscription opportunities are available here Subscribe Here

at the bottom of each newsletter or at...
https://www.macnet.co.nz/wwjesus/pay.html

DONATIONS

Each month, because of the size and nature of our web site and maintenance of our sophisticated emailing system, it costs over $200 in provider fees to bring this ministry to you. If you are able to help us meet this expense your credit card donation would be very much welcomed at Make Donations Here as a live connection or at https://www.macnet.co.nz/wwjesus/pay.php
if you prefer to paste the address into your browser. Thanks.

CHANGING YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS - OR IF THE NEWSLETTER STOPS COMING

Each week we can lose up to 1% of our readers when they change email addresses without letting us know. 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.

LINKS

If you would like to link your web site to ours, and ours to yours, please advise us on
links@wwj.org.nz

DID THIS EMAIL HAVE A BLUE BACKGROUND AND RED HEADINGS?

YES - Great!
NO - Your web browser needs to be set to 'Rich Text'. If you have an older 'Text Only' browser, this email may also be viewed on our web site at ...

http://www.wwj.org.nz/wwword.php

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) 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