IN WHOSE IMAGE?

Under the Old Covenant (Testament) system authority was effectively shared between 'kings' and 'priests'. Put simply, kings were responsible to God for the people's temporal wellbeing while the priests were accountable for the nation's spiritual welfare.

The 'saviour' that the Jews were, and many still are, looking for, was to be a king/priest who will, help them overcome their enemies in battle. Not a god, but a man. Hence, still today, leading rabbis are looked at to see if they have the qualities and charisma that would qualify them to be the promised saviour. Someone wise, someone successful, of stature, someone who can rally the people to defeat the multitude of enemies that Israel has always been plagued with. There have been numerous pretenders, both before and since Jesus, but none have been successful in setting the people free.

Along comes Jesus. Brilliant academically from a young age, He confounded the top teachers of the day with His knowledge of the Scriptures. "Is it possible that Jesus could be the saviour?" must have been in the rabbis thoughts. But, of course, this was soon discounted. For Jesus didn't behave like a king. In fact the very opposite! He mixed with the lower levels of society, the 'down and outs' of the day. He was anti-establishment - the religious establishment that was! Nor did He show any interest in leading a rebellion against the Roman invaders. In fact, He often went out of his way to avoid confrontation with them. Indeed, sometimes it seemed He was running away! He also did such strange things such as washing the feet of His close followers, instead if them washing His. Highly unbecoming and completely out of character for a candidate for the 'Savior' role. Although forceful at times, particularly in His dealings with the religious hierarchy, He was a humble man. He didn't stay in the top inns of the day, build a single building, nor indeed, leave any physical monument of His existence - not even a body! He had no money. In all truth, He relied upon His supporters, particularly - dare it be mentioned - the women, to provide for His minimal physical needs. When He died, all He owned was the clothes He was wearing. Finally, He conquered no territory, set up no government, indeed, left no formal organisation. Just a few ragged followers, most of who would then desert Him in the worst, yet best, moment of His life. He failed in His last opportunity, on Palm Sunday, to stamp His authority on the adoring crowds and lead them into battle against the hated Roman occupiers. A few days later He was hung on a tree, in the manner of the lowest criminal element of the Land. A disappointment. A failure, in human eyes.

Yet this 'failure' rose again, of course unrecognised by the Establishment, and His life has had a greater influence upon human history than any other, before or since.

The question then is, in whose image are we going to live our life? Are we seeking to have fine churches and great ministries recognised by multitudinous Christians, maybe even, by the secular world? Do we want to gather a Christian Army and conquer the world for Jesus? Set up Christian government?

Or do we want to be like Jesus? In perfect harmony with the Word! Serving our neighbours; figuratively, even literally, washing their feet. Loving others, with the love Jesus showed the people of His day. Being misunderstood. Not standing on our rights, but influencing others through our behaviour. Often appearing defeated from a worldly viewpoint, but having a character that attracts the spiritually hungry -the character of Jesus. Selfless, serving, even unto death. Like Jesus, neither seeking nor receiving the plaudits of mankind but unconditionally obeying the will of His Father, Like Him, changing the world!

For most of us this requires a new mindset. Well away from status, away from buildings and programmes, conquering nations, fighting the battle in human way. Rather, offering unconditional forgiveness and love, dying to our own desires and dreams, serving others without any thought of recognition or reward for ones self.

As we so do, we will become the Jesus generation today.

"But Lord, my new church building will witness for you in this community!" "No, my son, My witness is not found in buildings, programmes or position, but through your sacrificial life."

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FROM THE WORD

“What do you want me to do for you?” he asked. They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.” “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said. “Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?” “We can,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared.” When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”" (Mark 10:36-45)

"Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death — even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father." (Philipians 2:5-11)

“No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money." (Matthew 6:24)

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DAVID'S DOODLINGS

HUMILITY

210. It's hard to be humble when you always win. So God doesn't let that happen!

211. Learning humility in defeat trains us to remain humble in success.

212. Boasting is of the human heart, but humility is God's heart for us.

396. True humility cannot be generated in the mind, for it comes from our spirit.

397. True humility arises when confidence in God overcomes confidence in ones self.

398. Humility is a positive attribute, not a weakness.

399. False humility reflects weakness, but true humility exudes godly strength.

400. The truest expression of a godly character is reflected in humility.

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FROM YOU - TO ME - TO YOU

Hello David
In a previous issue of PGIM (or Tuesday teachings, I'm not sure which) you commented on the continual splintering and division that occurs between and within churches. Dr Jeff Simmons, a notable Bible Scholar of the Bible College of New Zealand has written an article, available at http://www.reality.org.nz/articles/32/32-simmonds.asp, in which he suggests these divisions began with the first major un-resolved schism which occurred in 1054 when the Roman Bishop (now called The Pope) claimed sole authority to interpret God's will and the church divided into Eastern Orthodoxy and Roman Catholicism. I think you would enjoy reading this article.

Of course later the Protestants protested the Pope's claim to sole authority and instead claimed that each Christian can interpret God's will - which has resulted in great leaps forward - but also as many interpretations as there are Protestants! The Orthodox church believes that only when the church is united again can infallible decisions be made and has therefore made no progress forward or backward for over a thousand years!

Blessings
Kerryanne Dalgleish
Whakatane, NZ
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david
hi love your e mail i have a question i have visited many churches some sit for the entire service some sit and stand some sit stand and kneel what do you prefer i prefer kneeling to kneel is to adore God to stand is to merely respect him Saints threw themselves prostrate on the ground in front of the Holy Tabernacle i guess the saints were more humble then we are today i would like you comments

Hi Margaret
I guess there is no right or wrong way. It is what is in our hearts that is important. Interestingly, we bow our heads in prayer, while the old Israelites lifted there heads towards heaven in prayer. It depends upon our culture. God can cope! He is after those who worship 'in spirit and in truth'.
Hope this helps.

Blessings
David

woe is me "God can cope" what a good answer thanks
--------------------------------------------------------------------
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

He then began his third missionary tour. He journeyed by land in the “upper coasts” (the more eastern parts) of Asia Minor, and at length made his way to Ephesus, where he tarried for no less than three years, engaged in ceaseless Christian labour. “This city was at the time the Liverpool of the Mediterranean. It possessed a splendid harbour, in which was concentrated the traffic of the sea which was then the highway of the nations; and as Liverpool has behind her the great towns of Lancashire, so had Ephesus behind and around her such cities as those mentioned along with her in the epistles to the churches in the book of Revelation, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. It was a city of vast wealth, and it was given over to every kind of pleasure, the fame of its theatres and race-course being world-wide” (Stalker’s Life of St. Paul). Here a “great door and effectual” was opened to the apostle. His fellow-labourers aided him in his work, carrying the gospel to Colosse and Laodicea and other places which they could reach.
Easton, M. G., M. A. D. D., Easton’s Bible Dictionary, (Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.) 1996.






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TUESDAY TEACHINGS

A REVELATION OF……. THE WAY OF HOLINESS
PART 5 OF 9
APPLICATION OF HOLINESS TO OUR LIVES (Revelation 12:11)

Occasionally, the Lord uses a verse to summarise His teachings. We have such a verse in Revelations 12:11, spoken by Jesus through the apostle John.

The verse succinctly sums up 'the Way' of our Christian walk, and its result - overcoming satan. For satan can only be overcome by the holy. Those who have put the ways of man aside to 100% walk in the ways of God.

Let's see how it works.

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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." ***

423. GLADYS DUNN
Our old friend Gladys Dunn attended church services one particular Sunday. The sermon seemed to go on forever, and many in the congregation fell asleep.

After the service, Gladys walked up to a very sleepy looking gentleman. In an attempt to be sociable, Gladys extended her hand in greeting, and said, "Hello, I'm Gladys Dunn."

To which the gentleman replied, "You're not the only one!"

(My mother's maiden name was Lilian Dunn - not the same!)

422. GLADLY
A child came home from Sunday School and told his mother that he had learned a new song about a cross-eyed bear named Gladly.

It took his mother a while before she realized that the hymn was really "Gladly The Cross I'd Bear."

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FACTS FOR FUN

LAST WEEKS QUESTION: What controversy involving Pluto occurred in 1999?

ANSWER: In January 1999, misleading reports appeared in the media that suggested Pluto was about to lose its status as a planet and be reclassified as a minor planet or even an asteroid. The furore was caused by a suggestion to include Pluto in a specialised listing of ‘Trans-Neptunian Objects’, a group of smaller objects that have been discovered in the outer solar system beyond Neptune's orbit. These objects are similar to Pluto, though drastically smaller. Astronomers did not intend to imply that Pluto was not a planet by suggesting its inclusion on the list, but the assumption that Pluto was being ‘demoted’ caused an uproar anyway and the International Astronomical Union had to issue a statement confirming that Pluto remained our ninth planet. (Mickey and Donald were so pleased not to lose their good friend!)

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: Where and when was the first underground train line opened?

Answer Next Week.

SOME FUN FACTS

600. FRAGRANT GIVEAWAYS
Avon started out as the California Perfume Company when 28-year-old founder, Mr. David McConnell, of New York, discovered that the rose oil perfumes he was giving away were the reason people were buying his books. He named the company Avon in 1939, as a tribute to his favourite playwright, William Shakespeare and Stratford on Avon. (Discovered the age-old truth that the easiest way to make money is through women’s vanities or men’s vices.)

601. CATCH THE KOALA
The fingerprints of the Australian Koala Bear are almost indistinguishable from human ones. In fact, they could easily be confused at a crime scene! (Real Australia – Kangaroo Courts and Koala Jails!)

602. NOT COLOUR BLIND
A blind Chameleon is still able to change colours to match its environment. (A colourful story.)

A WORD PUZZLE FOR YOU

Make another word from this word using all the letters.

UNESCO

Answer at the end of A David Musing

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DO YOU KNOW? (About Relationships)

How are Eli and Ichabod related?

a. Grandfather/Grandson
b. Army Generals
c. Husband/Wife

Answer at the end of A DAVID MUSING.

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IF ONLY I'D THOUGHT OF IT!

"""OTHER'S SAYINGS TO ENLIGHTEN, AMUSE, OR BEMUSE"""

PUN FUN!
!!!!!!! When you've seen one shopping center you've seen a mall.

!!!!!! Those who jump off a Paris bridge are in Seine.

!!!!! When an actress saw her first strands of gray hair she thought she'd dye.

!!!! Bakers trade bread recipes on a knead to know basis.

!!! Santa's helpers are subordinate clauses.

!! Acupuncture is a jab well done.

! Marathon runners with bad footwear suffer the agony of defeat.

100'S MORE TO BE FOUND AT...

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BIBLE RIDDLE

Q. What are the 2 smallest insects in the bible?
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A. The widows mite and the wicked flee!

Find out more Bible Facts at...

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PET'S RULE!

ADMITTING DEFEAT
A man absolutely hated his wife's cat and decided to get rid of him one day by driving him 20 blocks from his home and leaving him at the park. As he was getting home, the cat was walking up the driveway.

The next day he decided to drive the cat 40 blocks away. He put the beast out and headed home. Driving back up his driveway, there was the cat!

He kept taking the cat further and further and the cat would always beat him home. At last he decided to drive a few miles away, turn right, then left, past the bridge, then right again and another right until he reached what he thought was a safe distance from his home and left the cat there.

Hours later the man calls home to his wife: "Susan, is the cat there?"

"Yes", the wife answers, "why do you ask?"

Frustrated, the man answered, "Put that no good thing on the phone, I'm lost and need directions.

WHY DOGS CAN'T USE COMPUTERS
10. He's distracted by cats chasing his mouse.
9. SIT and STAY were hard enough; CUT and PASTE are out of the question.
8. Saliva-coated floppy disks refuse to work.
7. Three words: carpal paw syndrome.
6. Involuntary tail wagging is a dead give-away that he's browsing www.purina.com instead of working.
5. The fire hydrant icon is simply too frustrating.
4. He can't help attacking the screen when he hears "You've Got Mail."
3. It's too messy to "mark" every Web site he visits.
2. The FETCH command isn't available on all platforms.
1. He can't stick his head out of Windows XP.

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MANNERS AND CUSTOMS IN BIBLICAL LANDS

ROOMS IN THE TENT

A Bedouin's tent is oblong, usually consists of 2 or 3 rooms divided by goat-hair curtains.

From the entrance you come in to the men's quarters, where guests are received. Next, a room for women and children, and maybe another for servants or cattle. While the women are screened from the reception room, they can hear everything that is going on.

Remember how Sarah overheard the angel and laughed! (Genesis 18:10-15)

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MEGASHIFT

That's the title of American author Jim Rutz's recently-published book. It's hotly debated on TV, and one of Amazon's top sellers. It has also caused controversy in broad swathes of self-contented US Christianity. 'Megashift' is a sharp-minded analysis of current Christianity around the world, and is partly based on dozens of carefully-researched reports. Rutz is now one of the popular columnists in the conservative Internet news site World Net Daily (www.worldnetdaily.com).

What are his main observations? - The 1700-year nightmare is over: the Constantinian Shift is shifting back. Under Emperor Constantine, the Church became an imperial audience, but is now finally freeing itself from the corset of state control.

An unprecedented transfer of divine power is underway, from clerics into the hands of ordinary people. According to Rutz' research in 49 nations, hundreds of people have been raised from the dead in the past 15 years.

This is giving rise to an entirely new form of Christianity - with far greater repercussions than the Protestant Reformation.

Over 1 billion non-Christians could become active Christians in the next 10 years.

(Continued next week)

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GODS VICTORIOUS CHURCH

The inspiration for the first two parts of this poem came from a cross-island trek Kathy
and I went on when we were staying on the beautiful Island of Rarotonga, in the Cook
Islands. For those who don’t know, The Cooks are situated around the Tropic of Capricorn
in the Pacific Ocean. A great place to visit! The last part is based loosely on the book
of Revelation, Chapters 21 and 22, the biblical promise of what is to come. Hope it is
both enjoyable and challenging to you. Of course it is just verse, so is not all strictly
theologically accurate! Called poetic licence!

VICTORY!

THE MOUNTAIN CLIMB

I rang a guide, booking a trip for the day,
So Kathy and I, could go out and play,
"Any special offers?" as I always ask,
"Yes sir, but are you up to the task?"

"How much will it cost?" showing more interest,
Now more open to tackling Mount Everest!
"Our special offer is entirely free,"
This now, I couldn’t wait to see!

So off we go in a very smart minibus,
Kathy and I, some others, a group of us.
There we first meet our new guide to be,
Jesus by name, seemed friendly to me.

Hopping off the bus, now ready and eager to go,
Our lot in with Jesus, we were all willing to throw.
Until Jesus said, "There’s a small catch to my generous offer,
The trip’s tough, no turning back," the advice he did proffer.

Two people looked at the track ahead,
Could see the markers, all coloured red.
"Don’t think we can do it," was what they said,
"We’d rather stay in bed, being newly wed!"

"The choice is yours," our guide kindly does cry,
"Maybe another day, you will come back and try,"
As he leads the rest of us on, up into the trees,
"You must try in life, even when there’s no fees."

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A DAVID MUSING

The use of technology in the communications field, and many others, enables one to do things that were impossible just a few years ago.

I remember installing a mediuM sized computer in an air-conditioned room during my first job, which cost a huge amount of money, was programmed and maintained by several people at considerable expense, yet had only a fraction of the power of today's standard PC.

These huge advances in technology have enabled the 'ordinary person' to do things that once, only the experts could do, even just a few years ago. So you can get out a message to a worldwide audience through the internet, create radio programmes, films etc., all at a fraction of the price and effort required previously.

Yet, perhaps because of all this new ability to communicate, we are losing the ability do so within our personal relationships, for our lives get busier and busier doing things easier! Something is basically wrong here!

Unfortunately for the modern techno wizards, the most important communication is still one to one. With our friends, family, and most of all, with God! It takes time and effort, something that hasn't changed from the very beginning.

All technological developments are as nothing, when it comes to developing a personal relationship with our God - and others. May technology's apparent glamour and power not seduce us.

So until next week...

MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD.

His servant and yours

David Tait

Today's 'Word Puzzle' Answer: OUNCES

TODAY'S 'DO YOU KNOW?' ANSWER: a. Grandfather/Grandson: 18 When he mentioned the ark of God, Eli fell backward off his chair by the side of the gate. His neck was broken and he died, for he was an old man and heavy. He had led Israel forty years. 19 His daughter-in-law, the wife of Phinehas, was pregnant and near the time of delivery. When she heard the news that the ark of God had been captured and that her father-in-law and her husband were dead, she went into labor and gave birth, but was overcome by her labor pains. 20 As she was dying, the women attending her said, “Don’t despair; you have given birth to a son.” But she did not respond or pay any attention. 21 She named the boy Ichabod, saying, “The glory has departed from Israel”—because of the capture of the ark of God and the deaths of her father-in-law and her husband. (I Samuel 4:10-21)

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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 website
wwj.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!

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