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: 209 Published: 24 Oct 2005
LIFE'S ROSES AND THORNS
Life may be short,It could be long.
Will we be caught?
Or end up strong?
Money comes,
Money goes.
We do our sums,
But no-one knows.
Healthy one day,
Sick the next.
For wellness we pray,
When ill - now vexed.
All's under control,
Now it falls apart!
We're first on a roll,
Then back to the start!
In God too, we must face this place,
For all's not smooth, in life's race.
Him we are called, ever to revere,
And in daily life, to persevere.
He hasn't promised a fine bed of roses,
Nor simple solutions, to all life poses.
For roses were created with thorns you see,
Representing life problems, for you and me.
Yet when we see the rose in triumphant bloom,
Its shining beauty overwhelming the gloom,
The thorns' pricks and scratches are all worthwhile,
Put aside, forgotten, when with pleasure we smile.
For there cannot be a rose, without the thorns,
So with trial and testing, we do lock horns.
In order to become the rose God wants us to be,
We must overcome the thorns of life, you see.
Then He will pick us, now His richest bloom,
Taking pride of place in His heavenly room.
Eternal blooms, never ever to fade,
For by His hand, we have been made.
When locking horns with our latest thorn,
Remember the rose - no, it does not mourn.
From glory to glory, we are being made,
The price of the Cross, now fully paid.
David Tait ......... 22 October 2005
Find out more about us at...
FROM THE WORD
"“Though I have been speaking figuratively, a time is coming when I will no longer use this kind of language but will tell you plainly about my Father. In that day you will ask in my name. I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf. No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.†Then Jesus’ disciples said, “Now you are speaking clearly and without figures of speech. Now we can see that you know all things and that you do not even need to have anyone ask you questions. This makes us believe that you came from God.†“You believe at last!†Jesus answered. “But a time is coming, and has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me. “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.â€" (John 16:25-33)"So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. For in just a very little while, “He who is coming will come and will not delay. But my righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him.†But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved." (Hebrews 10:35-39)
I am a rose of Sharon, a lily of the valleys. Like a lily among thorns is my darling among the maidens. Like an apple tree among the trees of the forest is my lover among the young men. I delight to sit in his shade, and his fruit is sweet to my taste. He has taken me to the banquet hall, and his banner over me is love. (Song of Solomon 2:1-4)
You may read and study the Bible online at...
***DAILY EZINE!*** 'DAVID'S DAILY DOODLINGS' Subscribe Today
Receive one of David's sayings in your mailbox each day to inspire, challenge or maybe, amuse.To register today, simply click here ddd-on@wwj.org.nz
and press send. Then it's done!
If you have an Irish heritage, you will love the background coloring!
Should you prefer to, check out current and back issues (where you can also subscribe) at...
DAVID'S DOODLINGS
GROWING IN GOD987. To see the view we must first climb the mountain.
988. Growing pains happen in the spiritual as well as the natural.
989. To grow in our God we must first shrink in our self.
990. 'Going down' is the secret to 'growing up' in God.
991. Without life's valleys we wouldn't truly appreciate the mountain tops.
992. 'No gain without pain' is truly also the dictum of the race of life.
993. The race of life goes round many corners.
994. The race of life is held on a cross country course, not on a cinder track.
995. Growth in God is in spurts, same as in the body. They are normally both challenging and satisfying at the same time.
1000. It's in the valleys of life we develop the strength needed to scale the mountain tops.
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
hi pastor david ...keep up the comments to help retain the depth, height and transcendental sweetness/majesty of God the Providence thru His incarnate -Jesus Christ-Gbemi
Nigeria
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning David!
Chris here from Tasmania again. Dave, I appreciated your thoughts re the need/necessity of discipleship and discipling. I have become thoroughly convinced of this need myself over the past 11 years of ministry in a conservative Presbyterian congregation.
A few thoughts if I may. It seems to me that we ought to be careful with the believer / disciple distinction. The issue is, I think, whether the faith is true saving, living faith or not. As I see this, true faith is throughout all the faculties of the soul - mind, affections, and will. What is understood and believed is approved and chosen - thus translating itself into the faith response of thankful obedience. Hence, faith without works is dead! The great need of most pew sitters is to meet the real Jesus who turns to the mere professor and says: "Why are you calling me Lord when you don't do what I say?" The need of the hour is for churches everywhere to set the bar where Jesus sets it, namely, "Whoever would come after me let him deny himself, take up the cross and follow me..."
"Whosoever" = no one who truly comes to Jesus in faith misses out on this "first lesson in the school of Jesus." This is not something for any religious elite, it is Christianity in its first principles and essence.
Interestingly, the more closely I preach and press these challenges of Jesus the more the sermons are appreciated by the living among us, and the more the Lord seems to be bringing the lost to hear the preaching.
Have a good one. Keep up the good work. It's always good to see you on a Monday morning.
Ps. I notice that NZ has only one player in the world eleven -and he has one fu way too many!
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Hey David,
I am still reflecting on the dead faith issue. I came across something in my reading.
Sound doctrine, being like flour that thickens the gravy, I thought you might like to add a pinch of this:
"A person can, it is true, without any connection with conscience whatsoever, have knowledge of God, longing after God, consciousness of God, or fantasies and dreams about God. But we do not look upon a man's God-consciousness as faith in God unless it occupies the central and leading place in his personality and exercises the determining influence upon his will. In the latter event it is clear that faith is a fruit of conscience, for it is conscience which gives his consciousness of God the leading place in his personality. Similarly by its categorical imperative it gives his God-consciousness power over his will."
Gives Jame's statement re dead faith some searching application, eh.
There is no place in "easy believism" for the law's slaying work in the conscience that leads a sinner to die unto self that he might begin to live unto Christ as Lord of the conscience.
Comes from the book by O. Hallesby titled "Conscience, Its Place in Christian Living." (InterVarsityPress, 1995).
Well worth a few bucks.
Regards,
Chris.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear David,
In the...TUESDAY TEACHINGS PART 6 OF 9
"THE DREAM - HOLINESS AND FRUIT"
"True holiness comes, not through the law, but by growing the 'Fruit of the Spirit' in our lives. Developing into the image of Jesus." Galatians 5:22-24
This thought brings home a living Truth...."Pray without ceasing" 1Th.5:17 and the Spirit within will manifest a harvest of goodness in our everyday living as we journey the "way to holiness."
Blessed Mother Theresa writes;
"The fruit of silence is prayer; the fruit of prayer is faith;
the fruit of faith is love; the fruit of love is service;
the fruit of service is peace." Amen.
A Prayer request from Mary in Galway, Circle of Prayer Ministry
Could you give just 10 minutes a day to pray with others
around the world? Invitation open to EVERYONE!
http://www.circleofprayer.com/
Let us give thanks for the gift of forgiveness and softness of heart as we read and meditate upon the Word... in the Silence....
(Bible verse for meditation: Proverbs 2:1-11; Psalm 34:3-7; Psalm 62:5-8; 2nd Corinthians 9:10-15)
And so we pray in Jesus Christ, giving thanks that God hears and always answers our prayers. In Jesus' Name we affirm this Truth to be so! Amen.
God bless you and the WWJ Family,
From Marie and Jack Shea, Wheatfield, NY, USA
www.sheaministries.org
--------------------------------------------------------------------
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
10 Again the LORD spoke to Ahaz, 11 “Ask the LORD your God for a sign, whether in the deepest depths or in the highest heights.†(Isaiah 7:10)
TO READ THIS CARTOON AND SEE THE OTHER
PICTURES IN THIS EMAIL YOU NEED TO BE ONLINE.
Check it out at...
TUESDAY TEACHINGS
A REVELATION OF……. THE WAY OF HOLINESSPART 7 OF 9
FROM 'FRUITFUL SERVANTHOOD' - TO 'FRUITLESS SELF SERVING' - AND BACK AGAIN
I love fruit! So did Adam and Eve!
So fruit can be good or bad for us. All depending upon the choices we make.
Today's study is brief, but of no less worth because of its brevity. Just like fruit. It's not size, but taste that is the most important!
Let's munch!
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...
*** ANOTHER DAILY EZINE FROM WWJ!*** 'LAUGHING AT OURSELVES' Subscribe Today
As Christians, if we can't laugh at ourselves, others will! A fun way to start your day.To register today, simply click here lao-on@wwj.org.nz and press send. Then it's done!
Should you prefer, check out early issues (where you can also subscribe) at...
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." ***
427. CREATION - SNOOPY'S VERSION
On the first day of creation, God created the dog.
On the second day, God created man to serve the dog.
On the third day, God created all the animals of the earth (especially the horse) to serve as food for the dog.
On the fourth day, God created honest toil so that man could labor for the good of the dog.
On the fifth day, God created the tennis ball so that the dog might or might not retrieve it.
On the sixth day, God created veterinary science to keep the dog healthy and the man broke.
On the seventh day, God tried to rest, but He had to walk the dog.
426. REPEAT AGAIN
What with sermon preparations and anxiety, the new preacher had gotten very little sleep the week before he was to address his flock for the first time.
By Sunday morning, he was both exhausted and extremely nervous. Nevertheless, he managed to make it up the few steps onto the platform and into the pulpit.
The preacher had barely begun his sermon when everything he had planned to say flew right out of his mind. In fact, his mind went totally blank. Then he remembered that in seminary they had taught him what to do if a situation like this ever arose: "Repeat your last point, and let it remind you of what's coming next."
Figuring this advice couldn't hurt, he recalled the very last thing he'd said, and repeated it: "Behold," he quoted, "I come quickly."
Still his mind was blank. He thought he'd better try it again, "Behold, I come quickly." Still nothing.
He tried it one more time. "Behold, I come quickly!" he all but shouted.
In his panic, the preacher pounded the pulpit with such force that he lost his balance, fell forward, knocked the pulpit to one side, tripped over a flower arrangement, and fell into the lap of a little old lady in the front row.
Flustered and embarrassed, the preacher picked himself up, apologized profusely, and started to explain what had just happened.
"That's all right, young man," said the little old lady kindly. "It was my fault, really. You told me three times you were on your way down here. I should have just gotten out of your way!"
FREE DOWNLOAD: You can now download the book 'Laughing At Ourselves' in PDF format at LAUGHING AT OURSELVES
One of the most comprehensive sources of Christian Humour on the Net with 750 sermon fillers for your entertainment and use at ...
FACTS FOR FUN
LAST WEEKS QUESTION: Is it true that turtles don't age?ANSWER: It is strange, but true. After reaching maturity, a turtle's body doesn't continue to age biologically. They manifest what is known as 'negligible senescence', that is they increase in chronological age without exhibiting increased mortality. To put it simply: they continue to grow and reproduce after reaching maturity, but show no evidence of 'senescence', a fancy word for 'aging'. Turtles do die, of course. Eventually, they'll succumb to disease, injury, or predators - but there have been reports of turtles living for more than 100 to 200 years! (Need all this extra time to get places.)
THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: Are fish more abundant in cold ocean water or warm water?
Answer Next Week.
SOME FUN FACTS594. MEMORIES, MEMORIES
According to research by taste and smell expert Dr. Alan Hirsch, the odour of baking bread, cookies, or cakes triggers the most childhood memories. (Smelt good – tasted even better!)
595. DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER
Acid won't destroy a diamond. (But people destroy the earth to get at them!)
596. INHERITANCE LOST
The last descendant of the prolific musical Bach family died on Christmas Day, 1845. (Wonder whose music was played at the funeral?)
A WORD PUZZLE FOR YOU
Make another word from this word using all the letters.
HOEDOWN
Answer at the end of A David Musing
FREE DOWNLOAD: You can download the full version of our Trivia Book at TRULY TRIFFLING TRIVIA
Or view all 1232 online at...
DO YOU KNOW? (About Relationships)
How are Terah and Abram related?a. Father/Son
b. Husband/Wife
c. Brothers
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"""!!!!!!! "People are like tea bags -you have to put them in hot water before you know how strong they are."
!!!!!! "Fight truth decay -- study the Bible daily."
!!!!! "How will you spend eternity - Smoking or Nonsmoking?"
!!!! "Dusty Bibles lead to Dirty Lives"
!!! "It is unlikely there'll be a reduction in the wages of sin."
!! "Do not wait for the hearse to take you to church."
! "If you're headed in the wrong direction, God allows U-turns."
100'S MORE TO BE FOUND AT...
BIBLE RIDDLE
Q. Why didn't they play cards on the Ark?>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
A. Because Noah was standing on the deck.
Find out more Bible Facts at...
LIFE'S A LAUGH
MANLY?My sister-in-law, a truck driver, had decided to get a dog for protection.
As she inspected a likely candidate, the trainer told her, "He doesn't like men."
"Perfect," my sister-in-law thought and took the dog.
Then one day she was approached by two men in a parking lot, and she watched to see how her canine bodyguard would react.
Soon it became clear that the trainer wasn't kidding.
As the men got closer, the dog ran under the nearest car.
'MR TOUGH'
On the weekend of the biggest motorcycle gathering of the year, I was bar tending at a club nearby. When the roaring machines pulled up outside, our patrons' eyes swung toward the door and conversation turned into uneasy whispering.
A group of tough looking bikers walked up to the bar, and one of them asked me where the phone was. I pointed it out, and the silence in the room let everybody overhear what the biker said into the receiver. "Hi, Mom. Just want to let you know I'll be home late tonight."
REAL LABELLING
My family always gives me a golf shirt as a gift. I was especially delighted with the one I received on my birthday a couple of years ago.
The care instruction label read: "Part cotton, part other stuff. When dirty, wash it."
Check out lots more real life humor at...
FOOTPRINTS...A New Version
(My thanks to Leon White for sending me this)Imagine you and the Lord Jesus are walking down the road together. For much of the way, the Lord's footprints go along steadily, consistently, rarely varying the pace.
But your footprints are a disorganized stream of zigzags, starts, stops, turnarounds, circles, departures, and returns.
For much of the way, it seems to go like this, but gradually your footprints come more in line with the Lord's, soon paralleling His consistently.
You and Jesus are walking as true friends!
This seems perfect, but then an interesting thing happens: Your footprints that once etched the sand next to Jesus' are now walking precisely in His steps.
Inside His larger footprints are your smaller ones, you and Jesus are becoming one.
This goes on for many miles, but gradually you notice another change. The footprints inside the large footprints seem to grow larger.
Eventually they disappear altogether. There is only one set of footprints. They have become one.
This goes on for a long time, but suddenly the second set of footprints is back. This time it seems even worse! Zigzags all over the place. Stops. Starts. Gashes in the sand. A variable mess of prints.
You are amazed and shocked.
Your dream ends. Now you pray:
"Lord, I understand the first scene, with zigzags and fits. I was a new Christian; I was just learning. But You walked on through the storm and helped me learn to walk with You."
"That is correct."
"And when the smaller footprints were inside of Yours, I was actually learning to walk in Your steps, following You very closely."
"Very good.. You have understood everything so far."
When the smaller footprints grew and filled in Yours, I suppose that I was becoming like You in every way."
"Precisely."
"So, Lord, was there a regression or something? The footprints separated, and this time it was worse than at first."
There is a pause as the Lord answers, with a smile in His voice.
"You didn't know? It was then that we danced!"
To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven: A time to weep, a time to laugh, a time to mourn, and a time to dance. (Ecclesiastes 3:1,4)
MANNERS AND CUSTOMS IN BIBLICAL LANDS
NO NEW TENTSGoat clippings, then and now, are gathered throughout the year and woven into strips by the women. The most worn section of the tent is ripped out and the new strips sewn in. the old piece is not wasted, but used as a side curtain. The 'house of hair' is passed down from father to son, being neither completely old nor completely new.
Lots more 'God Facts' are found at...
MEGASHIFT (Part 3 of 3)
Post-Protestant revivalProtestantism was an important epoch in church history, but it is now time to stop protesting and start acting. The current post-Protestant awakening is larger than the great American revivals since 1727 under Wesley, Whitefield, the Herrnhuter or Johnathan Edwards. "This third Reformation," says Rutz, "has three characteristics:"
The church is transforming itself from an organisation to an organism
After 1700 years of institutional structure, the Body of Christ is emerging in the form described in the New Testament. People are rediscovering the original forms and functions in an open, participatory system mostly consisting of house churches.
100% active
Moving away from the one-man church system, in which the pastor literally did everything, a growing number of Jesus' followers are becoming active participants, leaving their spectators' seats and taking their place on the playing field. It should be no surprise the number of goals scored increases. When 100 people pray for the sick, prophesy, and plant churches instead of just one, it is also reasonable to expect the number of miracles to increase.
Immense numbers of new believers
Church growth outside America is breathtaking. Tens of thousands of new believers (Rutz speaks of 175,000 per day) means that although all religions are growing naturally, only Christianity is experiencing significant growth through conversion. Where religions meet, Christianity almost always gains new believers, and new networks of house churches are formed.
How to be part of this Megashift?
Stop going with the flow, and decide to actively turn away from the outdated control structures (clerics & laypeople).
Take responsibility. That also means paying the price of being a pioneer, including Christian friends' suspicion and ostracism.
Learn to love others, overcoming selfishness and becoming a team player. That requires a lifestyle of repentance and obedience, out of healthy enthusiasm, not duty.
Help carry others' burdens, and not stagnate but take small steps forward every day.
Rutz says: "Is there a small voice inside saying 'That's right!'?" Follow it. But you also have the choice to ignore it. That too is freedom. But please don't complain later.
Source: Jim Rutz, www.megashift.org
Much more information on the spread of the gospel 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 for free in PDF Format at...
A DAVID MUSING
'The weather' is a never-ending topic of conversation, wherever one is in the world.I think 'weather prayers' must cause God more frustration and challenge than nearly anything else! For some of us want it to be fine, yet others seek the rain. Some like the wind, others stillness. And so, on and on it goes. From farmers to sportsmen, from town to country, from one person to another, we all want something different, all at the same time! We all pray for our desire and expect ours, amongst all the opposing requests, to be answered!
What does God do? Maybe you can tell me! I would love to know!
So until next week...
MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD.
His servant and yours
David Tait
Today's 'Word Puzzle' Answer: WOODHEN
TODAY'S 'DO YOU KNOW?' ANSWER: a. Father/Son: Terah took his son Abram, his grandson Lot son of Haran, and his daughter-in-law Sarai, the wife of his son Abram, and together they set out from Ur of the Chaldeans to go to Canaan. (Genesis 11:31)
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.phpif you prefer to paste the address into your browser. Thanks.
CHANGING YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS? NEWSLETTER STOPS COMING?
Each week we can lose up to 2% of our readers when they change email addresses without letting us know. Or sometimes, by your server acting strangely and just cutting us off! If you are about to change your address, please advise us of both your old and new addresses here atenquiries@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 onlinks@wwj.org.nz
DOES 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 ...
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