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: 220 Published: 09 Jan 2006
DALE CARNEGIE v GOD
One characteristic of church life, particularly noticeable at the beginning of the year, is 'church slogans'. We have all heard them, maybe even created them. '2001 - to Jesus we run.' Or, '2010 - year of the men.' Of course, they are always of blessing, prosperity, increase and growth - or the lot, all rolled into one!Never yet, have I seen a year dedicated to sacrifice, servanthood, hardship, or submission to God's will! For slogans based on these principles would be guaranteed to send the flock to that other church down the road!
Yes, we all so easily fall into the trap of motivational, human based 'PMA' (Positive Mental Attitude) thought, especially as the New Year dawns.
While being positive and optimistic is a good thing, the problem arises in what we are positive and optimistic about. For human based PMA is self-centred, based on a philosophy of 'believe it and it will happen'! may remind some of the 'name it and claim it' theology so popular in many church circles?
Christians, on the other hand, ought to be motivated by a different set of values. We should welcome a call to servanthood, the call to sacrifice. How about '2007 - serve the needy on your way to heaven'! Somehow though, it simply doesn't have the same appeal, does it? But it should!
The Bible is highly critical of false prophets who titillate and manipulate the minds of the people by prophesying what they want to hear. Reality is though, the true prophets invariably had words from God that the people didn't want to hear! How often do we hear such words of rebuke and warning from current prophets?
This year, we need a brave breed of Christian leaders prepared to say it as the Bible says it, rather than trying to keep the people happy and in the pews with sugary sweet words and false promises. While numbers may suffer a little, effectiveness will dramatically increase. As we model the behaviour of Jesus to the community, others will be attracted to the Jesus in us, rather than joining a PMA social club, called a church. We must never forget that God's ways are greater than ours. Yes, His is the way of servanthood and sacrifice.
2006 being such a difficult year to rhyme, maybe we will have less slogans this year!
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FROM THE WORD
"“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,†declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your waysand my thoughts than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:8-9)
“Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come." (Matthew 24:9-14)
TEST THE SPIRITS
"Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world. You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood." (1 John 4:1-6)
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DAVID'S DOODLINGS
7. The foolish man rejects God, the wise man respects God, but the godly man lives for his God.8. A foolish man speaks before he thinks, a wise man thinks before he speaks, but a godly man lets his life speak for him.
9. The foolish man is satisfied with reading the Word, a wise man follows the Word, but the godly man is as one with the Word.
10. The foolish man listens to himself, a wise man listens to others, but a godly man submits to spiritual oversight.
11. The lips of a foolish man blaspheme God, those of a wise man honour God, but a godly man’s lips glorify his God.
305. A foolish man can seek wisdom, the wise man godliness, while the godly man grows into the image of Christ.
306. A foolish man rests content in hope, a wise man finds faith, but the godly man unreservedly loves both God and man.
427. A foolish man seeks nothing, a wise man seeks 'to do', while the godly man desires 'to be'.
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CRANWELL'S CARTOON
38 Then Saul dressed David in his own tunic. He put a coat of armor on him and a bronze helmet on his head. 39 David fastened on his sword over the tunic and tried walking around, because he was not used to them. “I cannot go in these,†he said to Saul, “because I am not used to them.†So he took them off. 40 Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine. (1 Samuel 17:38-40)
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TUESDAY TEACHINGS
UP THE MOUNTAIN Part 4 of 4However high we decide to fly in our walk with Jesus there are consequences and rewards for our actions.
In this, the final part of our story, we will find out how our sparrows, doves and eagles fared.
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, The Way of Holiness and 3 Miraculous Conceptions 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." ***
451. ONLY ONE MIRACLE TODAY
Grandma Deanie took her little grandson Billy to the beach. They were having a good time until a huge wave came in and swept Billy out to sea. Grandma Deanie fell down on her knees and pleaded to the heavens, "Please return my grandson, -- that's all I ask! PLEASE!!!"
A moment later, lo and behold, a wave swelled from the ocean and deposited the wet, yet unhurt child, at her feet. She checked him over to make sure that he was okay. He was fine. But still she looked up at the sky with an annoyed expression and said, "When we came he had a hat!"
450. GOOD LOOKING
The Baptist church had a small congregation of very faithful people - all but Marvin the farmer, who had quit coming to church.
Pastor Feingold went to Marvin's farm, and asked him why he didn't attend anymore.
"Gee, Preacher," Marvin said, "I only have these coveralls and old boots, and I don't want to come to the Lord's house dressed so shabby."
Pastor Feingold said, "I've got a spare shirt, sports coat, slacks and shoes I'll give you if you'll come back!"
Marvin agreed, so Pastor Feingold returned that afternoon with the clothes. Next Sunday Marvin didn't show up again.
The Pastor went out to Marvin's farm and asked, "I gave you all those clothes, why didn't you come to church?"
"Well, brother," Marvin said, "I got up and showered and shaved, and I put on those neat duds, and I looked in the mirror. I looked so doggone good I went to the Episcopal church!"
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FACTS FOR FUN
LAST WEEKS QUESTION: How far can a kangaroo jump?ANSWER: A large kangaroo can clear more than thirty feet in one jump. (Gets there quickly ‘in leaps and bounds’.)
THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: What was the first toy ever advertised on television?
Answer Next Week.
SOME FUN FACTS561. GUMS WORKING
The world’s oldest piece of chewing gum is over 9000 years old! (Something to chew? So nothing’s new!)
562. GOOD NEWS AND BAD
A cockroach can live several weeks with its head cut off – but eventually it dies from starvation! (All bad things come to an end too – finally!)
563. NOT A QUICK COUNT!
The American quarter coin has 119 grooves around its edge, a dime, one less. (If in doubt, check it out.)
A WORD PUZZLE FOR YOU
Make another word from this word using all the letters.
PIECRUST
Answer at the end of A David Musing
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DO YOU KNOW? (About Relationships)
Were Sanballat and Tobiaha. Husband/Wife
b. Father/Son
c. Associates
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"""!!!!!!! Life is an open door. It can be closed at any time, so don't complain about the draft.
!!!!!! When I'm not in my right mind, my left mind gets pretty crowded.
!!!!! What happens if you get scared half to death twice?
!!!! I used to have an open mind, but my brains kept falling out.
!!! Shin: A device for finding furniture in the dark.
!! How do you tell when you run out of invisible ink?
! Why do psychics have to ask you for your name?
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BIBLE RIDDLE
Q. What kind of motor vehicles are in the Bible? (4th of 4)>
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A. 2 Cor. 48 describes going out in service in a Volkswagen Beetle: "We are pressed in every way, but not cramped beyond movement."
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DIFFERENCES BETWEEN MEN AND WOMEN
[stereotype alert!]NICKNAMES:
If Gloria, Suzanne, Debra and Michelle go out for lunch, they will call each other Gloria, Suzanne, Debra and Michelle. But if Bob, Tom, Ryan and Dave go out, they will affectionately refer to each other as Bonehead, Dogman, Cucciolo (thats "puppy" in italian) and Pooman.
EATING OUT:
And when the check comes, Mike, Phil, Rob and Jack will each throw in $20 bills, even though it's only for $22.50. None of them will have anything smaller, and none will actually admit they want change back. When the girls get their check, out come the pocket calculators.
BATHROOMS:
A man has five items in his bathroom: a toothbrush, shaving cream, razor, a bar of Dial soap, and a towel from the Holiday Inn.
The average number of items in the typical woman's bathroom is 437. A man would not be able to identify most of these items.
HANDWRITING:
To their credit, men do not decorate their penmanship. They just chicken-scratch. Women use scented, coloured stationary and they dot their "i's" with circles and hearts. Women use ridiculously large loops in their "p's" and "g's". It is a royal pain to read a note from a woman. Even when she's dumping you, she'll put a smiley face at the end of the note.
GROCERIES:
A woman makes a list of things she needs and then goes out to the store and buys them. A man waits till the only items left in his fridge are half a lime and a Pepsi, then he goes grocery shopping. He buys everything that looks good. By the time a man reaches the checkout counter, his cart is packed tighter than the car on Beverly Hillbillies. Of course, this will not stop him from going to the 10-items-or-less lane.
SHOES:
When preparing for work, a woman will put on a Mondi wool suit, then slip on Reebok sneakers. She will carry her dress shoes in a plastic bag from Saks. When she gets to work, she will put on her dress shoes. Five minutes later, she will kick them off because her feet are under the desk. A man will wear the same pair of shoes all day.
OFFSPRING:
Ah, children. A woman knows all about her children. She knows about dentist appointments and soccer games and romances and best friends and favorite foods and secret fears and hopes and dreams. A man is vaguely aware of some short people living in the house.
DRESSING UP:
A woman will dress up to go shopping, water the plants, empty the garbage, answer the phone, read a book, get the mail. A man will dress up for weddings and funerals.
LAUNDRY:
Women do laundry every couple of days. A man will wear every article of clothing he owns, including his surgical pants that were hip about eight years ago, before he will do his laundry. When he is finally out of clothes, he will wear a dirty sweatshirt inside out, rent a U-Haul and take his mountain of clothes to the laundromat. Men always expect to meet beautiful women at the laundromat. This is a myth perpetuated by reruns of old episodes of "Love, American Style".
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MANNERS AND CUSTOMS IN BIBLICAL LANDS
ANCIENT BANQUETSGenerally held at night in brightly lit rooms. Anybody excluded from the feast was cast out of the well lit room into 'outer darkness'. So Jesus described the Day of Judgement as being like being excluded from the banquet (Matthew 8:12). As a light was kept burning all night, the people's fear of darkness made a brilliant description for Jesus to use in describing 'outer darkness' as the future judgement of the unrighteous.
Adapted from: '1001 Surprising Things You Should Know About The Bible' MacGregor & Prys
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THE 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS
There is one Christmas Carol that has always baffled me. What in the world do leaping lords, French hens, swimming swans, and especially the partridge who won't come out of the pear tree have to do with Christmas?Here is the answer!
From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics. It has two levels of meaning: The surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church. Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious
reality which the children could remember.
1. The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.
2. Two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments.
3. Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love.
4. The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John.
5. The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.
6. The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.
7. Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit: Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.
8. The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.
9. Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control.
10. The ten lords a-leaping were the Ten Commandments.
11. The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.
12. The twelve drummers drumming symbolised the twelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed.
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EAGLES FLY HIGH! Pastors, Teachers and Students Version
A revelatory, scripturally based study describing God's church - Past, Present and Future. Contains many insights into God's desires for His people in these end times. This overview will help you both better understand the direction of the church as a whole and the place of your ministry within the overall picture.Check it out and download for free from here.
A DAVID MUSING
Time flies! 29.023225 of the month of January already gone by the end of today!Not enough time in the day! Perhaps because I have spent 8 hours at the cricket! I know, you Americans cannot understand this English tradition! And New Zealand lost too!
So until next week...
MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD.
His servant and yours
David Tait
Today's 'Word Puzzle' Answer: PICTURES
TODAY'S 'DO YOU KNOW?' ANSWER: c. Associates: 7 But when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites and the men of Ashdod heard that the repairs to Jerusalem’s walls had gone ahead and that the gaps were being closed, they were very angry. (Nehemiah 4:7)
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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