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: 166 Published: 27 Dec 2004
WHO WILL LEAD THIS YEAR?
Throughout history, there has been an ebb and flow between the world and the church in the determination of society's values. At times, particularly after the Reformation, Christian principles powerfully influenced society. Those responsible for the industrial reforms in Britain and the abolition of slavery in the US were motivated by Godly principles. As were many leaders in other countries too.However, particularly since World War 2, we have seen the growth of secular humanism within society. It has been interesting to observe the church's reaction to it. Many churches have tried to adapt the Bible to a more secular viewpoint. They effectively say that society's values determine those of the church, although they generally don't quite express it quite this directly!
On the other hand, there are those who slavishly retain tradition without regard to the Lord's revelation and guidance for today.
It is increasingly obvious though, that a greater divide is emerging between the views of society at large and those of the Bible. This is unsurprising, being predicted in the Bible as being a sign of the end times. This is being reflected in a greater division within the church, between those wanting to adapt to the developing world viewpoint and those standing firm on the basic Biblical truths.
So as we rapidly enter the 6th year since the celebration of the millennium, are we going to stand for Jesus or adapt our theology to that of the world? The choice is ours.
We are now one-twentieth of the way to the next millennium! Not long to go - even less if Jesus returns first!
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PS: New Year greetings are found in A DAVID MUSING
FROM THE WORD
A CALL TO PERSEVERE"But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. They said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.†These are the men who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit. But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. Be merciful to those who doubt; snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh." (Jude 17-23)
GODLESSNESS IN THE LAST DAYS
"But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them." (2 Timothy 3:1-5)
"And now you know what is holding him back, so that he may be revealed at the proper time. For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming. The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness." (2 Thessalonians 2:6-12)
"You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. Or do you think Scripture says without reason that the spirit he caused to live in us envies intensely? But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud
but gives grace to the humble.†" (James 4:4-6)
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DAVID'S DOODLINGS
214.-235. DISCIPLESHIP IS...... doing the right thing because we want to, not because we are expected to.
... being a servant both to God and man.
... honouring God with body, soul and spirit.
... loving the Lord with all our heart, soul and mind.
... being 100% committed to the Lord's cause.
... putting the Lord first in all things.
... placing the Lord's desires ahead of our own.
... applying the Lord's will to our mind and emotions.
... accepting the Lord's correction graciously.
... being joyful in the Lord - even while being corrected!
... subverting our will to His.
... centred upon giving rather than receiving.
... becoming a little more like Jesus every day.
... being prepared to die for our Lord.
... honouring and worshipping God as Lord, rather than a 'holy Father Christmas.'
... being the one God would like us to be.
... placing God's needs and others godly needs ahead of our own.
... helping others attain to their ministries, even to the expense of our own.
... being Jesus to others.
... retaining the joy of the Lord in times of personal sadness.
... putting wrongs right - graciously!
... walking as one with the Lord, night and day.
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FROM YOU - TO ME - TO YOU
Hi David & KathyYour comments this week are very relevant and scary. Something we have recognised for a while, as the path our society is fast travelling down. I was interested to hear of Canada and Israel though... Thanks David
Regards
Lorraine
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David
No matter how the systems of this world condone same-sex unions to God these are still abominations.
The only hope for The Homosexual is The Blood Of Jesus Christ, outside of this they are hopelessly lost, like all of fallen humanity.
True believers love the souls of The Homosexuals but hate their sin because it will cause them to go to a Christless eternity.
Maranatha,
Bro.Scott Hutchinson,
Keep lifting up Jesus.
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Your comments to me or fellow readers are always welcomed at... david@wwj.org.nz
This is an opportunity for you to express your views, which may not be my views. But none of us have a mortgage on all the truth - except for Jesus!
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. RoyTUESDAY TEACHINGS
THIS WEEK: A REVELATION OF……. THE PARABLE OF THE SOWER: Part 3 of 3Not only is this parable a pattern of our lives individually, but also of the church as a whole. Again, it ties up with other Scripture.
Let's see how, shall we?
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LAUGHING AT OURSELVES
329. SURPRISE PUNISHMENT
A man appeared before St. Peter to receive news of his eternal fate. Peter said, "I have good news and bad. The good news is that you get to choose where you will spend eternity, the bad news it, it won't be heaven. Come, let me show you your choices."
So Peter took the man down a long corridor. After walking a bit, Peter opened a door so the man could look in. Inside was a huge room with a cement floor, filled with hundreds of people standing on their heads. The man said he wanted to see a couple of more rooms before deciding, so Peter took him to another room where hundreds of people were standing on their heads on a hard wood floor. In the next room they were on their heads in a carpeted area, so the man silently reasoned that each situation was a little more bearable.
Then Peter said, "I'll show you one more room, and then you must make your decision." In this room were hundreds of people floating in sitting up position, drinking coffee. But there was a terrible stench, for what they were sitting in was a combination of garbage and sewage. But reasoning that he probably could soon become accustomed to the smell, the man made his decision to be consigned for eternity in this room. As he settled down into the slop, a cup of coffee was handed to him.
However, it wasn't more than 10 minutes later when a small side door opened and out came a demon who yelled, "O.K. Coffee break's over. Everyone back on your heads!"
328. SUBSTITUTE PREACHER
A supply speaker was invited to fill in while the pastor was on vacation. He began his sermon by saying, "Today I'm just substituting for your Pastor, I kind of feel like the cardboard you temporarily place in the window while the glass is being repaired." Then he went on with his sermon.
At the end of the service, while shaking hands with parishioners, one said, "Remember what you said about feeling like a cardboard replacement? Well you shouldn't feel that way at all. Today you were a real pain."
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FACTS FOR FUN
LAST WEEKS QUESTION: Do animals cry?ANSWER: It depends what you mean by crying. Some animals, such as chimpanzees and dogs, do produce tears. But it is unlikely they are out of emotion, but probably simply lubricate irritated eyes.
THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: Who discovered the speed of light?
Answer Next Week.
732. IT COULD BE YOU!
One person in two billion will live to be 116 or older. (Older and wiser?)
733. NOT ONLY YOURS
You share your birthday with approximately 16,438,356 other people in the world. (So many to celebrate – or commiserate – with.)
734. NEVER ENDING
If the population of China walked past you in single file, the line would never end because of the rate of reproduction. (People make people!)
A WORD PUZZLE FOR YOU
Make another word from this word using all the letters.
SHOOTING
Answer at the end of A David Musing
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BE INSPIRED WITH A MESSAGE FROM INSPIRATIONAL TAPES
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MOTHER IN ISRAEL
By: Lydia Prince
The first wife of the also now deceased, Dr Derek Prince, who had a real heart for the people of Israel.
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DO YOU KNOW?
Q. Which servant of Jehovah was the most flagrant lawbreaker in the Bible?Answer at the end of A DAVID MUSING.
Heaps more fun and serious God Facts are found at...
10 GOOD REASONS MARRIAGE WORKS
(1) It's safer: Marriage lowers the risk that both men and women will become the victims of violence, including domestic violence.(2) It can save your life: Married people live longer and healthier lives and the power of marriage is particularly evident in late middle age. Nine out of 10 married men and women alive at 48 will make it to 65 against six out of 10 unmarried men and eight out of 10 unmarried women.
(3) It can save your child's life: Children lead healthier, longer lives and tend to stay out of trouble if parents get and stay married.
(4) You will earn more: Men today tend to think of marriage as a consumption item but a vast body of scientific literature suggests that for men especially marriage is productive - as important as education in boosting earnings.
(5) You'll be richer: Married people not only make more money, they manage money better and build more wealth together than either would alone.
(6) You'll tame him/her: Marriage increases sexual fidelity. Cohabiting men are four times more likely to cheat than husbands and cohabiting women eight times more likely to cheat than wives.
(7) You'll stay sane: Marriage is good for mental health. Married men and women are less depressed, less anxious and less psychologically distressed than singles, the divorced or widowed.
(8) It will make you happy: Overall, 40 per cent of married people, compared with about 25 per cent of singles or cohabitors, say they are "very happy" with life in general.
(9) Your children will love you more: Adult children of intact marriages keep more regular contact with their parents than do those of divorced or cohabiting couples. And they are far more likely themselves to marry for life.
(10) You'll have better sex, more often: Despite the lurid Sex in the City marketing that promises singles erotic joys untold, both husbands and wives are more likely to report that they have an extremely satisfying sex life than are singles or cohabitors.
SOURCE: Maggie Gallagher, 'The Case for Marriage'
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LIFE'S A LAUGH!
IMPORTEDThe customer in the Italian restaurant was so pleased that he asked to speak to the chef. The owner proudly led him into the kitchen and introduced him to the chef.
"Your veal parmigiana was superb," the customer said. "I just spent a month in Italy, and yours is better than any I ever had over there."
"Naturally," the chef said. "Over there, they use domestic cheese. Ours is imported."
BLACK AND BROWN
Little Johnny has been bringing his drawings home from kindergarten everyday since he started a month ago. Each day his mother admires the pictures and hangs them on the refrigerator. One thing starts bothering her though. Little Johnny only uses black and browns for his drawings. Fearing a problem with her young son and not wanting to make it worse, she decides to take him to a child psychologist.
The psychologist delicately goes to work. He gives Johnny a battery of psychological tests. He chats with Johnny. Everything seems perfectly normal. Everyday for two weeks, the tests continue. Yet everyday, little Johnny continues to bring home drawings in only black and brown. Frustrated at not being able to get to the root of the problem and fearful that something is terriblY wrong, the child psychologist decides to give little
Johnny some paper and a box of crayons and observe what happens.
Little Johnny opens the box of crayons and says "oh boy! A new box of crayons! At school we only have old boxes. The only ones left in mine are black and brown!"
Real life humour galore at...
BIBLE BITS
The Eastern Church accepted the New Testament as we know it in 367AD with the 39th Paschal Letter of Athanasius, the Western (Roman) Church following suit after Pope Damascus called a synod together in Rome in 382AD.Lots of Godfacts are found at...
MORE FAST PUNS!
14. Every calendar’s days are numbered.15. A lot of money is tainted. It taint yours and it taint mine.
16. A boiled egg in the morning is hard to beat.
17. He had a photographic memory that was never developed.
18. A plateau is a high form of flatter.
19. The short fortune-teller who escaped from prison was a small medium at large.
20. Those who get too big for their britches will be exposed in the end.
21. Once you’ve seen one shopping centre you’ve seen a mall.
22. Those who jump off a Paris bridge are in Seine.
23. When an actress saw her first strands of grey hair she thought she’d dye.
24. Bakers trade bread recipes on a knead to know basis.
25. Santa’s helpers are subordinate clauses.
26. Marathon runners with bad footwear suffer the agony of defeat.
Cheer yourself up with lots of 'Great Groans' at...
A DAVID MUSING
How can it be 5 years since we (incorrectly) celebrated the new millenium! Of course it should have been a year later. But we humans are an impatient lot...What will the New Year bring? Ask me this time next year! But I suggest, it will bring what we are prepared to give to it. My earnest wish is that we may each get what we deserve!
So until next week...
MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD.
His servant and yours
David Tait
Today's 'Word Puzzle' Answer: SOOTHING
Today's 'Do You Know?' A. Moses. Because he broke all 10 commandments at once.
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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 websitewwj.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) 6 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