A SPIRIT OF COMPETITION OR CO-OPERATION?

Once upon a time (as all good fairy tales begin) there was a garden. In this idyllic garden, people ate the fruit of the trees, animals, the green plants of the field, and neither people nor animals ate each other another! All lived together in peace and harmony and co-operation.

One day, along came snake. Snake was most put out! You see, he had been born with a sac full of venom, and designer fangs specially made to inject it into his victims. But he had a problem! Everyone got along so well together, he wasn't able to use his secret armoury! He really wished to, for he wanted to show his real power to all who looked down on him - everyone actually, for he was legless! So he cunningly thought, "Know what I will do! I'll organise a 'competition'."

Along he went to the 'Eden Garden Annual General Meeting', an amazingly short gathering for voting wasn't required, as everyone agreed about everything. There he shared his cunning plan.

"Let's have a race," suggested snake, "a race to see who is the fastest runner in the garden. We can give the winner a Laurel Wreath and they will have the place of honour amongst us all."

Turtle, a wise, deep thinker, didn't think it was such a good idea, but in the interest of letting others choose their destiny, he quietly retreated into his shell.

Everyone else was enthusiastic! All immediately started to train so they could become the honoured one.

After a short time the giraffe thought, "I have such a long neck. I should use my competitive advantage to reach up and take fruit from the trees, for fruit makes man really strong and wise." But when man saw the giraffes stealing their food source, they were unhappy, to say the least. So they approached snake and explained their problem.

"Maybe I can help you," said snake, a snide smile etching his thin lips, momentarily exposing his fierce fangs. "Leave it with me."

The next day, man found giraffe dead on the path leading to his orchard. Suddenly, fear struck the Garden, for until now, death had, been unknown. Snake started a rumour that giraffe had died once he realised he couldn't win the race. All viewed one another with suspicion now, understanding how important the race had become. Co-operation ceased as competition intensified. Man and animals were set one against the other. Garden Meetings lengthened greatly, with agreement impossible, for each wanted to be kingpin.

Turtle looked on sadly. Finally, at one acrimonious meeting, he had had enough. Speaking out, he reminded all of what had become of the previous, peaceful, co-operating, Eden Garden Community. "We can no longer be called 'Eden Gardens'", Turtle declared, "for the spirit of co-operation and unity has gone."

"What shall we call ourselves then," the competitive crowd clamoured.

"You may call it 'church'," responded turtle wisely. Surprisingly, all agreed, the first time since snake had suggested the race.

Snake though, was still happy. "Plenty of opportunity to use my fangs now," he thought smugly to himself.

But over time, snake was disappointed, for the 'church' members quickly developed their own spiritual fangs of pride, dissension, status, titles, control and criticism, to mention a but few. In spite of being blamed for a lot of the difficulties faced, snake hardly got to use his fangs at all! He had become redundant!

All the while, turtle had withdrawn to the privacy of his shell. But one day, having had enough of the constant dissension and splintering of the group, he called a Special General Meeting of 'Today's Church'. Being a wise old 'wrinkly', he was able to hold their attention for long enough to again remind them what the community had been like in 'Eden Garden' days.

After much discussion, it was generally agreed that a 'Revival' of 'Eden Garden' ways was needed. However after this one show of unity, the meeting again deteriorated into utter chaos, for everyone wanted to be leader, to claim the kudos of returning the people to the state of co-operation that existed in earlier days through 'Revival'. Nothing eventuated. Snake smiled with a wry, crooked, knowing, grin.

Turtle sighed, again withdrawing to his shell, waiting upon another day, a new generation of 'Churchians', one that would be more responsive to his words. Yes, he had time on his side, for all know turtles live forever.

For Turtle knew that one day, the spirit of Eden Gardens would return and all would, once again, live happily ever after - as all good fairy tales must end that way!

To which generation will we belong?

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FROM THE WORD

LIFE BY THE SPIRIT
"So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law. The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other." (Galatians 5:16-26)

PSALM 133
"How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!
It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard,
running down on Aaron’s beard, down upon the collar of his robes.
It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion.
For there the LORD bestows his blessing, even life forevermore." (Psalm 133:1-4)

"We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.” For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God." (Romans 15:1-7)

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DAVID'S DOODLINGS

UNITY
213. United we stand, divided... God will wait upon another generation.

401. Unity in Christ is so close to God's heart but so far away from ours!

402. Why do we keep asking God for more strength, when He has already given us the answer - unity!

403. We keep looking for the unity of one world government to arise in the nations, but constantly fail to seek it in the church.

404. The Godhead is the ultimate example of how a many faceted Church is to become united as one.

996. Unity cannot be imposed from without, but needs to grow from within.

997. True unity is birthed in the Spirit, not imposed through a structure.

998. Unity develops in times of oppression. Bring on oppression Lord!

999. Satan divides, the Spirit unites. Who is winning the battle of your life?

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CRANWELL'S CARTOON

Now Jericho was tightly shut up because of the Israelites. No one went out and no one came in. 2 Then the LORD said to Joshua, “See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its fighting men. 3 March around the city once with all the armed men. Do this for six days. 4 Have seven priests carry trumpets of rams’ horns in front of the ark. On the seventh day, march around the city seven times, with the priests blowing the trumpets. 5 When you hear them sound a long blast on the trumpets, have all the people give a loud shout; then the wall of the city will collapse and the people will go up, every man straight in.” (Joshua 6:1-5)







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TUESDAY TEACHINGS

A REVELATION OF……. 3 MIRACULOUS CONCEPTIONS

POINTING THE WAY TO THE ROLE OF JESUS
PART 3 of 4
ZECHARIAH, ELIZABETH AND JOHN THE BAPTIST

John, the last of the Old Testament prophets was effectively, the bridge between the Old Testament and the New. For he was filled with the Holy Spirit from birth. Of course, he didn't make it to the Day of Pentecost, from when we have all had the opportunity to experience the fullness of the Holy Spirit!

John is a classic example of one was called of God, had a great ministry, even getting to announce the arrival of Jesus as the 'Lamb of God'. Yet then, in spite of His obedience to God, his ministry then greatly reduced, he was imprisoned, he had doubts as to whether he had really heard from God, and then he was executed for his faith.

Just goes to show that God's will is supreme. We don't necessarily have success upon success, even when we are submitted and obedient. Yet, as John finally realised, when we learn to rest in God, and accept His will, as Jesus did, we will receive the eternal rewards that we have been promised.

I trust you find it as encouraging as I have done.

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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, Revelation 12:11 and The Way of Holiness 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." ***

436. MISPLACED ADVERTISING
A little church in the suburbs had suddenly stopped buying from its regular office supply dealer. So, the dealer telephoned Deacon Brown to ask why.

"I'll tell you why," shouted Deacon Brown. "Our church ordered some pencils from you to be used in the pews for visitors to register."

"Well, interrupted the dealer, "didn't you receive them yet?"

"Oh, we received them all right," replied Deacon Brown. "However, you sent us some golf pencils...each stamped with the words, 'Play Golf Next Sunday.' "

435. YOU AND ME BOTH, SISTER
A pastor was in a discussion with an elderly church member about a relative of hers who had seen the light and joined the church after a lifetime of riotous living. "Will my converted cousin's sins be forgiven?" she asked.

"Oh, certainly," replied the pastor, "Remember, the greater the sin, the greater the saint."

The woman thought silently for a time. Then she said, "Oh, Pastor, how I wish I'd known this fifty years ago."

(Not worth the risk - not the same blessings!)

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FACTS FOR FUN

LAST WEEKS QUESTION: When did ‘Superman’ first appear in print?

ANSWER: Superman dates back to June 1938, when he appeared in Action Comics No. 1. Batman arrived on the scene one year later in Detective Comics No. 27, appearing May 1939. (But they haven’t died though!)

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: Who drew the original Mickey Mouse in his first short cartoon?

Answer Next Week.

SOME FUN FACTS

5579. SEE THE LIGHT?
Lightening strikes the world about 6,000 times per minute while men are 6 times more likely to be struck by it than women! (Are men positively charged?)

580. TEETH SCRUBBERS
More people use blue toothbrushes, than red ones. (Blue for boy, red for danger?)

581. IMMENSE VARIETY
There are more than one million animal species on the Earth. (And you are just another one of these?)

A WORD PUZZLE FOR YOU

Make another word from this word using all the letters.

FINGERS

Answer at the end of A David Musing

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DO YOU KNOW? (About Relationships)

How are Leah and Reuben related?

a. Wife/Husband
b. Mother/Son
c. Daughter/Father

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"""

!!!!!!! A closed mouth gathers no foot.

!!!!!! There are two theories to arguing with women. Neither one works.

!!!!! Generally speaking, you aren't learning much when your mouth is moving.

!!!! Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way, when you criticize them, you're a mile away, and you have their shoes.

!!! Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it.

!! Don't be irreplaceable; if you can't be replaced, you can't be promoted.

! You can go anywhere you want if you look serious and carry a clipboard.

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BIBLE RIDDLE

Q. Who is the unhappiest in the Parable of the Prodigal Son?
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A. The fatted calf.

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PUN FUN

THE THREE BEARS TODAY
The three bears had been having some trouble recently and had ended up in family court. Mama and Papa bear were splitting up, and baby bear had to decide who he was going to live with. So, the judge wanted to talk to baby bear to see what he thought about living with either of his parents. When he asked baby bear about living with his father, baby bear said "No, I can't live with Papa bear, he beats me terribly."

"OK," said the judge, "then you want to live with your mother, right?"

"No way!" replied baby bear, "She beats me worse than Papa does."

The judge was confused by this, and didn't quite know what to do.

"Well, you have to live with someone, so are there any relatives you would like to stay with?" asked the judge. "Yes," answered baby bear, "my aunt Bertha bear who lives in Chicago."

"You're sure she will treat you well and won't beat you?" asked the judge.

"Definitely," said baby bear, "the Chicago Bears don't beat anybody."

INVESTIGATION
Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson were going about their rounds, and trying to get into a house that they needed to search. After trying the door handle, Watson exclaimed "Oh, no, Sherlock, we'll never get in. It's locked!"

At which point, Sherlock removed a yellow citrus fruit from his pocket, and squeezed the juice into the keyhole. The door then opened, and the two were able to search the house.

"How did you manage that?" exclaimed Watson

"A-lemon-entry, my dear Watson," replied Holmes.

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MANNERS AND CUSTOMS IN BIBLICAL LANDS

COURTYARD
A place for cisterns (water storage), fires of warmth (Peter in the High Priest's house before the crucifixion. John 18:18), a place to eat and to bathe in privacy. Unless you were Bathsheba and David could look down on you from the palace rooftop! (2 Samuel 11:2)

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UNDERLYING SPIRITUAL MEANINGS FROM NATURE

CLAY---------Man

DARKNESS----Sin, Satan

DEW----------Devotion

DROUGHT-----Judgement

DUST---------Natural man

FIRE----------Judgement, Testing, Purification (Sometimes Holy Spirit)

FLOOD--------Judgement

LIGHT---------God, Personal revelation we have received of God

LIGHTENING---Judgement

MOUNTAIN----Authority

MOON---------Jesus

RAIN----------Holy Spirit

RAINBOW------God's Covenant Promises

ROCK---------Jesus

SAND---------People

STARS--------Holy Spirit, Christians

STONES------Christians

SUN----------God the Father

THUNDER-----Voice of God

WATER-------Cleansing, Purification

WIND---------Holy Spirit


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NOT SURE I WANT TO GO TO HEAVEN ANY MORE!... if it's going to be like the church on earth!

Not so sure I want to go to heaven any more!
For what I see here, shakes me to the core.
What if heaven was to be the same?
Who would there be to blame!

Not so sure I want to go to heaven any more!
When all I see is raging arguments to the fore.
What if heaven was to be the same?
Who would there be to blame!

Not so sure I want to go to heaven any more!
For we fight on earth and resentments store.
What if heaven was to be the same?
Who would there be to blame!

Not so sure I want to go to heaven any more,
Down here, splits and divisions are folklore.
What if heaven was to be the same?
Who would there be to blame!

Not so sure I want to go to heaven any more!
Disagreement's so rife, just become a bore!
What if heaven was to be the same?
Who would there be to blame!

So maybe I should go to go to heaven now,
To see how God deals with our sacred cow.
Surely heaven can not be the same?
There would only be God to blame!

So how about building His Kingdom on earth?
There's a radical thought, has some worth!
Surely church wouldn't be the same?
When God's kingdom, to earth came!

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A DAVID MUSING

PRAY FOR RAY!
On Sunday morning our friend, community member and TV guru was admitted to hospital with severe stomach pains. With his normal build being on the slim side, to say the least, rather than becoming a shadow of himself, his shadow just about disappeared! However, our irrepressible mate was soon holding fort, making new friends amongst the staff, and reminding them of the love of Jesus. An evangelist's heart never gives up if his stomach does!

Please pray for Ray today, that the doctors may find and resolve the root of the problem as he undergoes investigative surgery. Of course, as Kathy (my wife) is a Theatre Nurse in the hospital here, his treatment will be unsurpassable!

So until next week...

MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD.

His servant and yours

David Tait

Today's 'Word Puzzle' Answer: FRINGES

TODAY'S 'DO YOU KNOW?' ANSWER: b. Mother/Son 32 Leah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Reuben, for she said, “It is because the LORD has seen my misery. Surely my husband will love me now.” (Genesis 29:32)

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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!

For comments upon and contributions to this service, please contact
david@wwj.org.nz