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: 203 Published: 12 Sep 2005
FROM 'GOOD WORKS' TO 'GOD WORK'
A major impediment to the progress of the church today is the very thing meant to further it! Our charitable programmes! Our 'Good Works'!In spite of the best of intentions, nothing more quickly disheartens believers, and is ineffective in bringing unbelievers to Christ than programmes of service which, while following good Christian principles, are not inspired by the heart of God. Our good works can so easily become a substitute or excuse for not deepening our relationship with Jesus. We become so busy doing good 'things', that the best 'thing' gets neglected! In doing the plural, we lose the singular! We therefore need to progress from 'works' to 'work'.
So what is the difference between the two? Man initiates 'Works', while 'work', is God given.
The New Testament provides the examples of looking after the poor, as seen in Paul's collection for the poor believers in Jerusalem, and his and others urging to assist believing widows and orphans, in providing a 'social security' system within the church. Interestingly, this was not directed at the community as a whole. But that is subject for another day!
The foundation of works, also known as dead works, was based in the Law. While the principles may have been good, people manipulated them to suit their own ends. This was one of Jesus' main criticisms of the Pharisees. For their man-made religious rules took precedence over the heart motivation of the ministry of Jesus.
We so easily slip, often unwittingly, into the same error. We are saved by faith, through God's grace, and not through works. Once saved however, our faith is to be reflected in our actions. Buy it's easy to reverse the two. We fall into the human trap of leaving out grace and reverting to works, seeking through them to earn or justify our faith. This is the first problem.
It is closely followed by the next, more controversial, challenge! Whose works do we do? Do we do good works because we see a human need, to fulfil another's vision, or because God desires it of us?
There is so much need in the world that, in our human strength, we cannot make more than a minute difference. Sad, but reality. While it may seem good to make even a small difference, this easily becomes dead works. Works done out of the human heart to meet needs we perceive. Much Christian service to the community arises out of this motivation, and sadly, makes little lasting difference to either the community, or the kingdom.
Then, we may help another fulfil their vision. In practice, in most churches, this means helping the pastor fulfil the pastor's vision. If the pastor's vision is of God, our works also may also become God's work, should that be what God wants us to do. The problem in following the pastor's vision though, is that the pastoral role biblically, is to train the saints to seek and fulfil their own visions, not in having the people working to achieve the pastor's own. The pastoral role should be one of a facilitator, not a dictator, however benign. There are, of course, people in every church without vision, and they may well look to grasp hold of the vision of the pastor, as an alternative to seeking God for specific, personal guidance. Most often though, well meaning, dedicated people simply get worn out from trying to fulfil the limitless demands of both church and people.
Ultimately however, to be the most effective God's work, we must do the specific tasks the Lord asks of us. Not what we might see to do, not what is the good religious thing to do, but rather, being obedient to our Father's leading. No, this is not an excuse to sit back and do nothing! Just the opposite! We need to put in the hard yards of getting to know Him better, learning to hear His voice and then doing precisely what He tells us. Then, under His instruction, as part of His master plan, we will be truly effective in building His kingdom upon the earth.
The true measure of our faith is not measured in the quantity of our 'works', but through our obedience in doing the 'work' our Lord allocates us. He will make it both achievable and effective. Now, isn't that what we all desire?
Lord, I put aside my human mindset of 'good works' today. I cast off the pressures placed on me by others. I seek your leading and guidance now as to the 'work' you would have me do. I undertake, with your help, to do what you show me. Amen.
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FROM THE WORD
"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. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." (Ephesians 2:8-10)"It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ." (Ephesians 4:11-13)
"All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away. No one calls on your name or strives to lay hold of you; for you have hidden your face from us
and made us waste away because of our sins. Yet, O LORD, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand." (Isaiah 64:6-8)
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DAVID'S DOODLINGS
WORK AND WORKS691. Man is made to work – but not all the time!
692. Show me faith. Show me works. And I will show you a faith that works.
693. Building faith takes time but good works are always ready and waiting.
694. How much faith does it take to do good works?
695. People come, people go, but needs go on forever.
696. Works reflect the light of Christ in us to a dark world.
697. Faith reflects our place in God, works reflect God’s place in us.
698. Faith is internal, works external.
699. Works are the reflection of our faith to a disbelieving world.
700. Works are the single most convincing expression of our faith.
Please feel free to quote these quotes. Acknowledgement of David Tait as the author would be appreciated. There are now well over 1000 David sayings for you to view at ...
FROM YOU - TO ME - TO YOU
Dear Dave,Here is some news out of New Orleans that gets very little press space...
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=46161
God help us!
.... in this time of need of repentance and the stirring of the hearts and souls with compassion, for the needs of the people who are suffering from the wake of Katrina.
Please pray for America....its people, gov't leaders and all the volunteers who have come and are coming forward to help the people in this American crisis.....
Our daughter Mary sent this website from a Florida Newspaper on the devastations of Katrina....
http://www.sunherald.com/mld/sunherald/slideshow.htm?content_id=12524131&pub_name=sunherald&site_name=sunherald&language=en&palette_name=sunherald
God bless you and your family,
With love and kindness,
Marie and Jack Shea, Wheatfield, NY
PS.. Dave, You are right on about.... "What is church?" Keep on, Keeping on!
Because of our love for Jesus Christ, our Savior.... Jack and I have created, with help of God, The Shea Ministries website, to help spread His Teachings through the Scriptures of the Holy Bible.... we do give thanks to the Glory of God. " For ye are our glory and joy." Amen. (1st Thessalonians 2:20)
www.tsmj.org
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RE: WHAT ARE YOUR VIEWS ON A LINK BETWEEN HURRICANE KATRINA AND THE ISRAELI WITHDRAWAL ?
God promised Abraham: Gen 12:2-3 "I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you." NIV
The United States of America should relocate all of its mid-east military bases from wherever they are (Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Afghanistan, etc) and reestablish them in Israel. The U.S. should then tell all the world, in no uncertain terms, that it is Israel's ally. Israel and the U.S. must then reclaim ALL of the land apportioned to Israel by God Himself.
Israel is perfectly willing to live in peace with the "Palestinians" (Philistines) and the rest of the Arab world if they would just accept that BUT NOT AT THE COST of their sovereign land! Too bad the Arabs don't believe nor accept that... it needs to be done anyhow! Come what may!
If our "leaders" would just wake up and see that, the U.S. (and Israel) would be blessed.
The U.S. has NOT, to this point, been a good ally... and we have been cursed.
To Jesus our Lord be the glory.
Rev. Cleve Bishop, Pastor
Raton, New Mexico
U.S.A.
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this is pure nonsense!
Vic
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Subject: Re: PGIM! A WEEKLY ENCOURAGEMENT FOR YOU - 05 Sep 2005
DEAR DAVID,
I ENJOYED THE CAT JOKES VERY MUCH, ESPECIALLY THE ONE ABOUT SHREDDED TWEAT! I DO THOUGH TAKE ISSUE WITH THE FOLLOWING:
Hi Dave
You have not lost your marbles. The Church has in the Americas.
I also would not trust these so called Christian Parties. Christ warned us to keep away from worldly things and to have no part in Politics. Our aim is to prepare the world for what is to come.
We are in the Last Days and most people have not a clue what is going to happen.
In Christ
Dmitri+
I DO NOT THINK ''CHRISTIANS'' SHOULD STAY AWAY FROM POLITICS, AND AMERICA IS A PRIME EXAMPLE.
FOR TOO MANY YEARS AMERICAN CHRISTIANS STAYED AWAY FROM THE ELECTIONS AND WE HAVE HAD A MESS AS A RESULT. IF CHRISTIANS WOULD GET MORE INVOLVED IN POLITICS WE MIGHT TURN THE COUNTRY BACK TO GOD AND HIS WORD ON WHICH THIS NATION WAS FOUNDED.
I CAN FIND NO ADMONITION FROM CHRIST ON VOTING AND NOT VOTING AND FROM MY VIEWPOINT, ANYONE WHO DOES NOT VOTE HAS NO RIGHT TO GRUMBLE ABOUT LEGISLATION THAT IS PUT THROUGH WHETHER IT IS CITY, COUNTY, STATE OR NATIONAL. WE OF NECESSITY HAVE TO BE IN THE WORLD, BUT WE NEED NOT BE CONFORMED TO THE WORLD AND VOTING WILL NOT CHANGE WHERE WE STAND WITH THE LORD UNLESS WE VOTE FOR SOMETHING THAT IS SPECIFICALLY ANTI-CHRIST AND HIS TEACHINGS.
BLESSINGS TO AND WITH YOU!
CARL
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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!
CRANWELL'S CARTOON
The LORD then said to Noah, “Go into the ark, you and your whole
family, because I have found you righteous in this generation. 2
Take with you seven of every kind of clean animal, a male and its
mate, and two of every kind of unclean animal, a male and its mate,
3 and also seven of every kind of bird, male and female, to keep
their various kinds alive throughout the earth. 4 Seven days from
now I will send rain on the earth for forty days and forty nights,
and I will wipe from the face of the earth every living creature
I have made.†5 And Noah did all that the LORD commanded him.
6 Noah was six hundred years old when the floodwaters came on the
earth. 7 And Noah and his sons and his wife and his sons’ wives
entered the ark to escape the waters of the flood. 8 Pairs of
clean and unclean animals, of birds and of all creatures that
move along the ground, 9 male and female, came to Noah and
entered the ark, as God had commanded Noah. 10 And after the
seven days the floodwaters came on the earth. (Genesis 7:1-10)
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TUESDAY TEACHINGS
A REVELATION OF……. THE WAY OF HOLINESSPART 1 OF 9
INTRODUCTION - KNOWING GOD
The pursuit of holiness is at the centre of the Christian faith, yet it is also one of its least understood principles.
Over the years I have struggled with its meaning, and more importantly, its life application! Like us all!
The interesting thing is that it can't be laid out simply in points 1 through 10, as many people make the mistake of trying to do. Rather, holiness is a life learning and development process during which the individual grows more into the image of Jesus.
This is not a theological presentation of 'the principles of holiness', for I am not a theologian, and would not attempt it. Nor would it likely do much good! For the real problem is in living it!
Rather, this is a revelation of some of the principles the Lord has shown me and which I am doing my best to apply to my own life. I am not presenting them as the super secret of, "do this and you will be holy!" The purpose is that you will take the principles and apply the lessons they contain, to help you deepen your 'walk with Jesus'.
The Lord has given me a large number of sayings, which I call 'David's Doodlings'. As you can see, I like alliteration! One doodling, in particular, seems to sum up the mystery, the dichotomy, and the experience of our pursuit of this ultimate goal.
"The closer I get to God, the further away I find I really am."
Yes, the pursuit of holiness is a lifetime walk, a journey that our Lord so much desires each pilgrim to take. I trust that this may help us a little as we seek to walk with Jesus.
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, A Layman's History of the Times of the Feasts, The Autumn Feats and Revelation 12:11, can be viewed at...
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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." ***
415. GOOD.....
Somebody has well said that there are only two kinds of people in world,
there are those who wake up in the morning and say ................
"Good morning, Lord," and there are those who wake up in the morning and
say,
"Good Lord, it's morning."
414. THE FIG TREE
Mark took his elderly maiden-Aunt Lucy for a drive, and pointed out a fig tree as one of the sights.
"Fig tree?" exclaimed Aunt Lucy. "That cannot be a fig tree for goodness sakes!"
"Of course it is," Mark insisted. "What makes you think it's not?"
Blushing so red she nearly glowed, Aunt Lucy said, "Well... I just thought... surely the leaves must be bigger than that!"
FREE DOWNLOAD: You can now download the book 'Laughing At Ourselves' in PDF format at LAUGHING AT OURSELVES
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FACTS FOR FUN
LAST WEEKS QUESTION: How long was the world's longest prayer meeting?ANSWER: : How long does prayer meeting last in your church? Do the ‘fidgits’ set in after ten or twenty minutes? Let’s say the average prayer meeting is an hour. But the world's longest Prayer Meeting? Multiply an hour by 24; multiply that by 365; and then multiply that by 100! That tallies up to 876,000 hours. The longest prayer meeting in the world actually lasted even longer than that! It began on August 27, 1727, in Herrnhut, Germany, when Moravians under Count von Zinzendorf commenced an around-the-clock prayer chain that lasted more than one hundred years! (Generations of prayer warriors involved?)
THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: Is it true that it takes more muscles to frown than it does to smile?
Answer Next Week.
SOME FUN FACTS612. UPSIDE DOWN?
The bubbles in Guiness Beer sink to the bottom, instead of floating to the top as in other beers. The reason for this is a mystery waiting to be solved. (Wouldn’t want to swim in it then!)
613. SENIOR MILITARY PRECISION
The average ear (cob) of corn has 800 kernels arranged in 16 rows. (How many Majors, Captains and Lieutenants?)
614. WON 'EM ALL
Rita Moreno was the first and only entertainer to have received all four of America’s top entertainment industry awards – The Oscar, The Emmy, The Tony and the Grammy. (Re-award-ing?)
A WORD PUZZLE FOR YOU
Make another word from this word using all the letters.
SOLITARY
Answer at the end of A David Musing
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DO YOU KNOW? (About Relationships)
How are Joseph and Asenath related?a. husband/wife
b. brother/sister
c. brothers-in-law
Answer at the end of A DAVID MUSING.
Heaps more fun and serious 'God Facts' are found at...
IF ONLY I'D THOUGHT OF IT!
"""OTHER'S SAYINGS TO ENLIGHTEN, AMUSE, OR BEMUSE"""FROM ALBERT EINSTEIN
Albert Einstein was recently selected "Man of the Century" by Time Magazine for his Theory of Relativity. Here is some of his "down-to-earth" wit and wisdom:
!!!!!!! If most of us are ashamed of shabby clothes and shoddy furniture, let us be more ashamed of shabby ideas and shoddy philosophies.
!!!!!! Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe.
!!!!! Sometimes one pays most for the things one gets for nothing.
!!!! We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.
!!! A + B + C = Success if, A = Hard Work, B = Hard Play, C = Keeping your mouth shut.
!! The hardest thing in the world to understand is the income tax.
! Put your hand on a hot stove for a minute, and it seems like an hour. Sit next to a pretty girl for an hour, and it seems like a minute. That's relativity.
100'S MORE TO BE FOUND AT...
BIBLE RIDDLE
Q. Where was the first ice cream parlour in the bible?>
>
>
>
>
>
A. Walls of Jericho.
( Walls make ice cream in the UK. Non-UK residents are excused this one )
Find out more Bible Facts at...
MARRIAGE AND FAMILY HUMOUR
YOU MUST BE A SAINTTwo women were discussing marriage, and one said, "We've been married twenty-five years, and every night my husband has complained about the food. Not one night without complaining about the food."
The other woman said, "That's awful. Doesn't it bother you?"
The first one said, "Not in the slightest."
Said the other woman, "You must be a saint!"
To which, the first woman replied, "No. Why should I object? Many people don't like the food they cook."
(Think about it! David)
KINDNESS
A little girl asked her mother for a dollar to give to an old lady in the park. Her mother was touched by the child's kindness, and gave her the required sum.
"There you are, my dear," said the mother. "But, tell me, isn't the lady able to work any more?"
"Oh yes," came the reply. "She sells candy."
MARRIAGE IS A GAMBLE
Marriage is a gamble.
You start with a pair.
He shows a diamond.
She shows a heart.
Her father has a club.
His father has a spade.
There's usually a joker around somewhere,
but after a while he becomes a king and she becomes a queen.
Then they end up with a full house.
We can laugh or we can cry at our family life at...
MANNERS AND CUSTOMS IN BIBLICAL LANDS
WHAT DID JESUS WEAR?Jesus must have worn a turban, as this was worn by rich and poor alike. Under his turban his hair would have been rather long, and his beard uncut. His tunic (undergarment), was seamless ie. one piece. This made it of some value and therefore, was probably given to him by one of his wealthy women followers. Over this, he wore the mantle, loose and flowing. The cloak most likely was not white, as we are told it turned white during the Transfiguration. Probably it was the common blue, or possibly white with brown stripes. Jesus did have the 'tsitsith' at the four corners of this mantle.
Lots more 'God Facts' are found at...
*POLL RESULT* VIEWS ON A LINK BETWEEN HURRICANE KATRINA AND THE ISRAELI WITHDRAWAL
Do you believe Hurricane Katrina to be related to the US initiated Israeli withdrawals from Gaza?Yes..........28%
No...........31%
Maybe........17%
No Opinion...24%
A fairly even split, as could be expected in such a controversial issue.
This poll is now closed but please feel free to share your views by writing to: david@wwj.org.nz
CHARTING PARENTHOOD: A STATISTICAL PORTRAIT OF FATHERS AND MOTHERS IN AMERICA
Some interesting facts:* Most fathers who live with their children participate regularly in some kind of leisure or play activity with them. While mothers are more likely to do "quiet" activities (reading a book or doing a puzzle, for example), fathers are more likely to play an outdoor game or sports activity. Very high levels of both fathers and mothers report talking at least once a week with their children about their family.
* Substantial percentages of fathers who live with their children are engaged in monitoring their children's daily activities and in setting limits on these activities. For example, 61 percent set limits on what television programs their children are allowed to watch.
* Men are much more likely than women to believe that two parents are more effective at raising children than one parent alone.
* More than one in five young children in two-parent families have their father as the primary caregiver when the mother is at work, attending school, or looking for work.
* While 40 percent of children whose fathers live outside the home have no contact with them, the other 60 percent had contact an average of 69 days in the last year.
Check out the full article - and many others at...
DAVID'S DOWNLOADS
WALKING WITH JESUS POSTERQuoting 1 John 2:1-6, six of the most thought provoking and important verses in scripture for walking with Jesus today. A4 size.
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A DAVID MUSING
IN A HURRY!Time is short,
Too much sport!
Bad attitude,
No gratitude!
Put Jesus first,
Develop thirst!
Do come aboard,
Jesus is Lord!
Normally writing verse takes longer than writing prose. But not this time!
So until next week...
MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD.
His servant and yours
David Tait
Today's 'Word Puzzle' Answer: ROYALIST
TODAY'S 'DO YOU KNOW?' ANSWER: a. husband/wife Pharaoh gave Joseph the name Zaphenath-Paneah and gave him Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On, to be his wife. And Joseph went throughout the land of Egypt. (Genesis 41:45)
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 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 websitewwj.org.nz or by contacting us as follows.
Walking With Jesus Ministries
290 Flaxmere Avenue
Flaxmere
Hastings
New Zealand
Phone: (06) 8799 911 International (+64) 6 8799 911
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