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: 192 Published: 27 Jun 2005
THE PROBLEM WITH GRACE!
How can there possibly be a problem with grace? God's grace is amazing! Without grace we are lost. First seen when God killed animals to make clothes to cover Adam and Eve's nakedness and shown again when Abraham went to sacrifice Isaac in the provision of the substitute ram. Pictures of what God would do in the ultimate expression of grace, the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus, as a substitute for your life and mine. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.(Ephesians 2:8-9) Thank you God, thank you Jesus, with all my heart for your grace.Notwithstanding, there remains a problem with grace!
The problem is, taking advantage of grace to keep on sinning! Living a worldly life during the week, then repenting on a Sunday. Or Saturday, depending on your 'sin free' day beliefs! And so the cycle goes on, week after week, year after year. One of preferring to die on Monday rather than Saturday, in order to have a clean slate! Grace is okay for everything! Or is it?
As I have read and reread the Bible, time after time, I have learned some things. God hates sin. We all know that! God's grace removes sin. Nearly all know that! Every sin, all the time! We all know that.... or do we? Is that really what the Bible says?
Not so! Not for the Jews in the Old Testament, nor is it so for believers today. The Sin Sacrifice under the Old Covenant was for unintentional sins only. Defiant, deliberate sin was punishable by excommunication, for blaspheming the Lord. Blasphemy was of actions as well as words.
The New Testament too, takes a similar position. As followers of Jesus we aren't meant to sin deliberately. Paul was well aware of this problem of 'easy Christianity' when he said, "What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? (Romans 6:1-2)
So the problem with grace is, it's so good we take advantage of it! Don't get me wrong. We always need it, for we haven't yet attained perfection. But let us honour God by living lives worthy of the grace we have received. We are required to live our lives in the image of Jesus. That is our call.
But God! But God! .......... Okay - I know! I wont anymore!
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FROM THE WORD
"What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life." (Romans 6:1-4)"What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were entrusted. You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness." (Romans 6:15-18)
"If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. How much more severely do you think a man deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God under foot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know him who said, “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,†and again, “The Lord will judge his people.†It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God." (Hebrews 10:26-31)
"The LORD said to Moses, “Say to the Israelites: ‘When anyone sins unintentionally and does what is forbidden in any of the LORD’s commands — â€â€˜If the anointed priest sins, bringing guilt on the people, he must bring to the LORD a young bull without defect as a sin offering for the sin he has committed. (Leviticus 4:1-3)
"“‘But if just one person sins unintentionally, he must bring a year-old female goat for a sin offering. The priest is to make atonement before the LORD for the one who erred by sinning unintentionally, and when atonement has been made for him, he will be forgiven. One and the same law applies to everyone who sins unintentionally, whether he is a native-born Israelite or an alien. â€â€˜But anyone who sins defiantly, whether native-born or alien, blasphemes the LORD, and that person must be cut off from his people. Because he has despised the LORD’s word and broken his commands, that person must surely be cut off; his guilt remains on him.’â€" (Numbers 15:27-31)
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DAVID'S DOODLINGS
35. The biggest impediment for many in delaying a decision for Christ is the mistaken belief that the present ‘Age of Grace’ will never end.36. God’s nature is finely balanced between love and judgement. As His love has predominated for the past 2000 years, how fearsome then must be the single Day of Judgement that is to come.
37. We know in life, that all good things come to an end. How is it then, that we continue to believe that the current age of God’s grace and mercy will go on forever?
38. Why is it that I continue to walk round and round the mountain when I know when the path to the top goes up?
178. God's gracious gift of grace is the reason to walk in truth, not an excuse to continue in sin.
317. God's graciously given grace gift gallantly galvanises garrulous, grateful gentiles!
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CRANWELL'S CARTOON
THE BEAST OUT OF THE EARTH11 Then I saw another beast, coming out of the earth. He had two
horns like a lamb, but he spoke like a dragon. 12 He exercised
all the authority of the first beast on his behalf, and made the
earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose fatal
wound had been healed. 13 And he performed great and miraculous
signs, even causing fire to come down from heaven to earth in full
view of men. 14 Because of the signs he was given power to do on
behalf of the first beast, he deceived the inhabitants of the earth.
He ordered them to set up an image in honor of the beast who was
wounded by the sword and yet lived. 15 He was given power to give
breath to the image of the first beast, so that it could speak and
cause all who refused to worship the image to be killed. 16 He also
forced everyone, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave,
to receive a mark on his right hand or on his forehead, 17 so that
no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark, which is the name
of the beast or the number of his name. 18 This calls for wisdom. If
anyone has insight, let him calculate the number of the beast, for
it is man’s number. His number is 666. (Revelation 13:11-18)
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FROM YOU - TO ME - TO YOU
David,Your short piece on Malachi reminded me that he is known as the Mafia prophet (with his name pronounced Muh LAA chee). :o) (Ever since I heard that one, I have had to "get a grip" whenever I say his name.)
Blessings,
Dal
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Hey David!
Thanks for the weekly shot in the arm. I find it interesting and informative and I do enjoy a chuckle on a Monday!
Was reading the list of biblical concepts re emphasis and wondered why you left out the concept of sin with its related guilt, iniquity, evil, wickedness, corruption, spiritual death, bondage, grief, sorrow etc etc.?
Not that I would suggest making this one's emphasis - but it would be unwise to ignore what is SO prominent and leads us in humility and thankfulness to the Lord our Righteousness! Do a count!
Emphasis or oversight?
Warm Regards,
Rev. Chris Connors
Launceston
Tasmania
Australia
Hi Chris
An oversight! Guessed I would have left out something important! Didn't do 'perfection' either!
sin 108
sins 90
sinned 14
sinning 10
TOTAL 222 Just for a start!
Ironically, just before I read your email I got the idea to write next week's editorial on 'Deliberate Sin'! Must be mine!
Was the cricket sinful to mention?! Couldn't resist! Sorry!
Thanks and Cheers
David
Ah, how the mighty have fallen!
We have been humbled and are smarting about the loss to .... who was it? I think them mention of Aussie cricket just now does not partake of sin so much as treads on a sticky wicket - it was a long hop from what we were talking about, and it has bowled me over and knocked me for six! But I'll get over it in time.
Be well!
Chris.
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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!
TUESDAY TEACHINGS
THE PROPHETIC FEASTS OF THE LORD - Series 2 - THE AUTUMN FEASTSPart 7 of 10 - THE PATTERN OF THINGS TO COME
Over the next 2 weeks, I hope I can help increase your understanding and interest in one of the two most difficult books in the New Testament, the Book of Hebrews. Yet it is a book for today! For it shows the Old Testament Day of Atonement is fulfilled in Jesus and applies to the church today.
While this is only a brief outline, it may inspire you to look further into the plans our Lord has for you and His church.
Check it out in your letterbox tomorrow. If you aren't on the mailing list, you can register now at... tteach-on@wwj.org.nz
Previous teachings on this subject, the First Miracle of Jesus, the Book of Ruth, God's Character and Servanthood and Leadership, the Parable of the Sower, The Two Marathoners, The 3 Rivers of God The Spring Feasts, The Power of 3 in God & the Church and A Layman's History of the Times of the Feasts can be viewed at...
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LAUGHING AT OURSELVES
388. TRADITION
During a service at an old synagogue in Eastern Europe, when the Shema prayer was said, half the congregants stood up and half remained sitting.
The half that was seated started yelling at those standing to sit down, and the ones standing yelled at the ones sitting to stand up.
The rabbi, learned as he was in the Law and commentaries, didn't know what to do. His congregation suggested that he consult a housebound 98-year-old man, who was one of the original founders of their temple. The rabbi hoped the elderly man would be able to tell him what the actual temple tradition was, so he went to the nursing home with a representative of each faction of the congregation.
The one whose followers stood during Shema said to the old man, "Is the tradition to stand during this prayer?"
The old man answered, "No, that is not our tradition."
The one whose followers sat asked, "Is the tradition to sit during Shema?"
The old man answered, "No, that is not our tradition."
Then the rabbi said to the old man, "Please help us! The congregants fight all the time, yelling at each other about whether they should sit or stand."
The old man interrupted, exclaiming, "THAT is our tradition!"
387. FAVORITE HYMNS, BY PROFESSION
Dentist - "Crown Him with Many Crowns"
Weatherman - "There Shall be Showers of Blessing"
Building contractor - "The Church's One Foundation"
Tailor - "Holy, Holy, Holy"
Golfer - "There is a Green Hill Far Away"
Politician - "Standing on the Promises"
Optometrist - "Open Mine Eyes that I Might See"
Internal Revenue Service - "All to Thee"
Gossip - "Pass It On"
Electrician - "Send the Light"
Shopper - "Sweet By and By"
386. OBSERVANT
A Sunday school teacher asked the children, "Why should you be quiet in church?"
Little Johnny promptly answered, "Because people are sleeping!"
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FACTS FOR FUN
LAST WEEKS QUESTION: Is it true that hair and nails continue to grow after death?ANSWER: No, they only seem to. What really happens is that the body dries out after death and the skin recedes from the hair and nails, making it appear as if they are longer. In fact, even though hair is not technically ‘living’, hair and nail cells still need to be nourished by blood in order to grow. (They’re bloodthirsty?)
THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: What is an ‘inclined elevator’?
Answer Next Week.
SOME FUN FACTS654. BACK TO - DEATH!
More people die of heart attacks on Monday mornings than at any other time during the week. (Always knew work was dangerous!)
655. PAPER CHASE
Some people can spend 30 minutes a day looking for papers lost on the top of their desks. (Makes you look busy though!)
656. IF NOTHING ELSE WORKS
Try smelling bananas or green apples to lose weight! (It may be ‘fruitful’.)
A WORD PUZZLE FOR YOU
Make another word from this word using all the letters.
MANLIEST
Answer at the end of A David Musing
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DO YOU FEAR GOD?
By: Derek Prince
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DO YOU KNOW? (About Relationships)
How are Laban and Jacob related?a. Brothers
b. Father/Son
c. Father-in-law/Son-in-law
Answer at the end of A DAVID MUSING.
Heaps more fun and serious 'God Facts' are found at...
BIBLE BITS
***The Book of Hebrews is the only anonymous letter in the New Testament, hence why it was placed at the end of Paul's letters by the collectors of the Canon. The King James Version attributes this letter to Paul, but later versions don't, as Paul doesn't identify himself and there are other differences to his writings elsewhere. It is a hugely relevant book to us today!***Egyptian texts confirm, about the time Moses killed the Egyptian overseer who had beaten the Jewish slave, the Hebrews were engaged in dragging stones for temples being built by Pharaoh Rameses II. Of course afterwards, he fled into the desert where he was prepared, this time, God's way, for releasing the people from captivity, 40 years later.
***The term 'Jews' originated in 587BC when Jerusalem lay in ruins after King Nebuchadnezzar had overrun Judah and was taking the people to captivity in Babylon. The name 'Jews' was given to them, from the Hebrew 'Yehudi', meaning 'belonging to the tribe of Judah'.
***The four gospels at the beginning of the New Testament closely follow in the tradition of the books of history from the Old Testament, describing words spoken and deeds done. Little of the inner thoughts of the people in the stories or the authors is included. This changes in later books where we get to know more of the individuals concerned, particularly Paul.
***The garment given by Jacob to Joseph in Genesis 37:3, generally known as the 'coat of many colours', is the same expression that is used for King David's daughter Tamar's garment. the Greek and Latin however translates it as 'a sleeved tunic'. (2 Samuel 13:18) So many scholars believe that it was a long undergarment with sleeves, rather than a coat. The working class usually wore a short tunic, while the aristocracy was set apart by a long tunic with sleeves.
Find out more Bible Facts at...
UNTIL DEATH DO US PART
MAKING MATTERS WORSE"So, what's the matter? I thought you just got back from a nice relaxing fishing trip with your husband."
"Oh, everything went wrong: First he said I talked so loud I would scare the fish. Then he said I was using the wrong bait; and then that I was reeling in too soon.
"All that might have been all right; but then, to make matters worse, I ended up catching the most fish!"
IN WITH DAD
When the Jones family moved into their new house, a visiting relative asked five-year-old Sammy how he liked the new place.
"It's terrific," he said. "I have my own room, Mike has his own room, and Jamie has her own room. But poor mum is still in with dad."
MALE WISDOM
David: "I'm a man of few words."
Doug: "Yeah, I'm married, too."
Many marriage jokes to laugh or cry over...
MANNERS AND CUSTOMS IN BIBLICAL LANDS
The manner of Arabic dress today is largely the same as it was centuries ago. There is a prevalent view in the area that it is morally wrong to change anything ancient.Lots more 'God Facts' are found at...
A REVELATION OF... THE CHARACTER OF GOD
Understanding God takes more than a lifetime! Through into eternity. Even then, I suspect he may come up with a surprise or two! But this simple revelation may help you understand Him better, as it has helped me.Download it now, free of charge, in PDF format, at...
A DAVID MUSING
This week New Zealand penetrated the USA!Firstly, our 'kiwi' golfer Michael Campbell, became only the 6th foreign golfer in 75 years to win the US Open Golf Tournament. After finishing 3rd in the British Open 10 years ago having led the 1st 3 rounds, he has overcome injuries and form reversals, to finally break through at the top level.
Less known, is that there was also a New Zealander on the victorious NBA San Antonio Spurs Basketball team. Sean Marks didn't get court time during the finals but collected his medal, all the same.
And finally, New Zealand model Rachel Hunter was voted off your 'Dancing With The Stars' TV show this week, in spite of being placed 2nd by the judges. Oh well, we can't win them all! But you wouldn't have been watching this, would you!
And yes, our New Zealand All Blacks convincingly won the 1st Test of 3 against the British and Irish Lions Rugby Team on Saturday evening.
Not too bad for a small country with only 4 million people at the 'uttermost end of the earth'! But the heart's desire of many believers here is, as the first country in the world to see the 'sun' (being next to the International Date Line), we might also be the first to see the 'Son'. It is most interesting when one travels from country to country, to hear almost everywhere, that each expects to be the first to experience the final revival and see Jesus. Maybe we can all be right - for He will surely return everywhere, all at once! In the twinkling of an eye! Come Lord Jesus, come.
So until next week...
MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD.
His servant and yours
David Tait
Today's 'Word Puzzle' Answer: AILMENTS
TODAY'S 'DO YOU KNOW?' ANSWER: c. Father-in-law/Son-in-law (Genesis 29:16-30)
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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