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: 269 Published: 18 Dec 2006
'TOYS FOR BOYS' - and Girls
Last weekend, I went to a Motorsport Show in London. Reliving my youth and early adulthood - before marriage, babies, and the money running out! Truly a 'boys toys' show! Although, many more girls are learning to enjoy the adrenaline rush of speed these days!As I walked round this display of excessive spending in the name of entertainment, my thoughts went back to the struggle so many have simply to survive, in Africa.
Leaving the show, and taking a walk round the newly regenerated Dockland area of London, I mused about the previous weekend when Kathy and I, on our 'honeymoon' (after having being apart for 2 months), walked round Woolworths, a large chain store, here in Britain. The difference between what was for sale here compared to most places in Africa, was chalk and cheese!
The one thing that really struck me, as I commented to Kathy at the time, was the toys available. For in Africa, most children have no toys that they haven't made for themselves, out of whatever discarded items they can find. Here in the West, most kids have so many, they simply can't appreciate them all.
In Africa, the most common 'toy' is a soccer ball, but even these are rare. Much more normal is a filled plastic bag, manipulated into a round shape and kicked around with great abandon.
Yet the children in Africa, in many cases, seem happier than those in the Western world. For true happiness comes from a stable, loving family, not guilt-ridden purchases of substitutionary toys in place of parental time and affection.
God made the family as the foundation stone of society. The best gift we can give our family this Christmas is our time and love. For loving memories outlast the latest gadget any and every day! We ignore God's design at our peril.
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FROM THE WORD
THE MIGHTY LORD REIGNSPsalms of intimacy, encouragement, healing and comfort.
Psalms updated from the King James Version by David Tait.
PSALM 134
A Song of ascents. (Annual religious pilgrimages to Jerusalem)
A farewell liturgy, spoken to the priests by the worshippers when leaving the Temple in the evening. The priests had to remain all night to attend to the Temple rituals.
Behold! Praise you the LORD, all you servants of the LORD, who by night stand in the house of the LORD. Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and praise the LORD. The LORD that made heaven and earth will bless you from Zion.
PSALM 135
Composed for the Temple Liturgy.
A call to praise the Lord, both as the creator and redeemer of his people.
Praise the LORD! Praise the name of the LORD! Praise him, you servants of the LORD, you that stand in the house of the LORD, in the courts of the house of our God. Praise the LORD, for the LORD is good. Sing praises to his name, for it is pleasant. For the LORD has chosen Jacob for himself and Israel for his treasured possession. For I know that the LORD is great, that our LORD is above all gods. Whatever the LORD pleases, he does - in heaven, on earth, in the seas, and in all their depths. He makes clouds arise from the ends of the earth. He makes lightning for the rain; he brings the wind out of his storehouse. He killed the firstborn of Egypt, both man and beast. He sent signs and wonders into the midst of you, O Egypt - upon Pharaoh, and upon all his servants. He defeated great nations, and slew mighty kings; 11Sihon king of the Amorites, Og king of Bashan, and all the kingdoms of Canaan. He gave their land as an inheritance, an inheritance to Israel, his people. Your name, O LORD, endures forever! Your renown, O LORD, throughout all generations! For the LORD will judge his people, and have compassion on his servants. The idols of nations are made of silver and gold, the work of men’s hands. They have mouths, but they cannot speak, eyes, but they cannot see. They have ears, but they cannot hear, nor is there breath in their mouths. Those who make them are like them, as is everyone who trusts in them. Praise the LORD, O house of Israel. Praise the LORD, O house of Aaron. Praise the LORD, O house of Levi. You that fear the LORD, praise the LORD. Praise be to the LORD out of Zion, to him who dwells in Jerusalem. Praise the LORD!
PSALM 136
Composed for the Temple Liturgy.
A liturgy of thanks offered to God for his enduring love as Israel's creator and redeemer.
Give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good:
for his love endures forever.
Give thanks to the God of gods:
for his love endures forever.
Give thanks to the LORD of LORDS:
for his love endures forever.
To him who alone does great wonders:
for his love endures forever.
To him who by wisdom made the heavens:
for his love endures forever.
To him who made the great lights:
for his love endures forever.
The sun to rule by day:
for his love endures forever.
The moon and stars to rule by night:
for his love endures forever.
To him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt:
for his love endures forever.
And brought Israel out from among them:
for his love endures forever.
With a strong hand, and outstretched arm:
for his love endures forever..
To him who divided the Red sea into two:
for his love endures forever.
And made Israel to pass through it's midst:
for his love endures forever.
But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea:
for his love endures forever.
To him who led his people through the wilderness:
for his love endures forever.
To him who struck down great kings:
for his love endures forever.
And slew famous kings:
for his love endures forever.
Sihon king of the Amorites:
for his love endures forever.
And Og the king of Bashan:
for his love endures forever.
And gave their land for an inheritance
for his love endures forever.
An inheritance to Israel his servant:
for his love endures forever.
Who remembered us in our low estate:
for his love endures forever.
And has rescued us from our enemies:
for his love endures forever.
Who gives food to every creature
for his love endures forever.
Give thanks to the God of heaven:
for his love endures forever.
Copyright: Walking With Jesus Ministries Charitable Trust: As this material is freely received, use is freely given, indeed encouraged, for non-commercial purposes.
A weekly Psalm in audio is available at 'PSALM OF THE WEEK' below.
You may read and study the 'New International Version (NIV)' online at...
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DAVID'S DOODLINGS
HEAVENLY TRUTHS GOD HAS SHOWN ME739. - 809. God has shown me that...
... ultimately, I am the one responsible for me.
... salvation is a process, not an event.
... life's limitations are man driven, not God given.
... when my wants line up with His desires, things happen.
... I need to place godliness even above wisdom.
... to be effective for Him, the light within, must shine without.
Please feel free to quote these quotes. Acknowledgement of David Tait as the author would be appreciated. There are now over 1270 David sayings for you to view at ...
CRANWELL'S CARTOON
THE CALLING OF THE FIRST DISCIPLES
18 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 19 “Come, follow me,†Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.†20 At once they left their nets and followed him. 21 Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, 22 and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him. (Matthew 4:18-22)
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TUESDAY TEACHINGS
A REVELATION OF....... 3 KINGDOM AGES OF GOD - Part 10CENTRAL KINGDOM CHARACTERS
Each of the three kingdoms was centred round one individual who symbolised the particular kingdom.
Let's see who these key figures were and how they represented God in their age.
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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." ***
560. ONCE UPON A TIME
After the fall in Garden of Eden, Adam was walking with his sons Cain and Abel. They passed by the ruins of the Garden of Eden. One of the boys asked, "What's that?" Adam replied, "Boys, that's where your mother ate us out of house and home."
559. A GREAT MISTAKE TO MAKE
A preacher phoned the city's newspaper. "Thank you very much," said he, "for the error you made when you announced my sermon topic for last Sunday. The topic I sent you was 'What Jesus Saw in A Publican.' You printed it as 'What Jesus Saw in a Republican' I had the biggest crowd of the year!"
558. ALL KNOWLEDGE
Minister: Do you know what's in the Bible?
Little Girl: Yes. I think I know everything that's in it.
Minister: You do? Tell me.
Little Girl: OK. There's a picture of my brother's girlfriend, a ticket from the dry cleaners, one of my curls, and a Pizza Hut coupon.
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 768 sermon fillers for your entertainment and use at ...
A BRITISH EXPERIENCE
Walking through the University of Aberdeen last Wednesday, we noticed a poster for a Carols Service to be held that night in St Machars Cathedral (Church of Scotland), just down the road from the university.What a wonderful discovery, for the Kings College Choir was simply superb! Both Kathy and I agreed it had to be the best choir we had ever heard. And, of course, the setting was magnificent for such an occasion.
One ot the many readings too, was in a very broad local dialect, that was most interesting to hear, if just about impossible to understand!
A truly wonderful Scotish experience.
FACTS FOR FUN
LAST WEEKS QUESTION: What do selenologists study? Butterflies, traffic density, the moon, vibrations or indigenous cultures?ANSWER: The moon. (They lay claim to having met 'the man in the moon' and try to tell us that it isn't made of cheese!)
THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: Sharks and Rays are the only animals known to man that cannot get this disease. What is it?
Answer Next Week.
SOME FUN FACTS418. PERFECTLY ROUND
A bubble is round because the air within it presses equally against all its parts, causing all surfaces to be equidistant from its centre. (Until the bubble bursts, when inequality again rules.)
419. ‘IF AT FIRST___’
X-rays of the Mona Lisa show that there are three completely different versions of the same subject, all painted by Leonardo da Vinci, under the final portrait. (‘….. you don’t succeed, don’t give up’ or you just might miss out on producing arguably the world’s most famous painting.)
420. AN EMERALD FOR ME
While diamonds are usually considered the most precious of stones, a large, near flawless emerald is worth considerably more than a diamond of similar size. (‘Emeralds are a girls best friend’ somehow doesn’t have the same ring to it – fortunately for men!)
A WORD PUZZLE FOR YOU
Make another word from this word using all the letters.
WRESTLE
Answer at the end of A David Musing
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BIBLE QUESTION - THE PARABLES
In the Parable of the Two Sons, in Matthew 21:28-32, a father tells his two sons to work in his vineyard. The fist son refuses, but later changes his mind. The second son agrees, but never goes to work.What group of people does the first son represent?
a. The Gentiles
b. Pharisees and hypocrites
c. Sinners who have repented and turned away from sin
d. Sinners who have not repented
Answer at the end of A DAVID MUSING.
Source: "TwoPaths Bible Study, www.twopaths.com"
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IF ONLY I'D THOUGHT OF IT!
"""OTHER'S SAYINGS TO ENLIGHTEN, AMUSE, OR BEMUSE"""!!!!!!! Good parking places are always on the other side of the street.
!!!!!! Consistency isn't always good especially if you're consistently wrong.
!!!!! Whenever you need something you can't find it, if you don't need it, it's all over.
!!!! When you have a pain someplace, everyone will hit you on that spot.
!!! When you try to be sophisticated something will happen to make you look bad.
!! Never remember what you can afford to forget.
! Air driers in public washrooms will shut off just as they get warm enough to do any good.
100'S MORE TO BE FOUND AT...
WORLD'S GREATEST GROANS
Q AND AQ: What do cat actors say on stage ?
A: Tabby or not tabby !
Q: How do you know if your cat has eaten a duckling ?
A: She's got that down in the mouth look !
Q: What do you get if cross a cat with a canary ?
A: Shredded tweet !
Q: What do you get if you cross a cat with a tree ?
A: cat-a-log !
Q: Why did the cat join the Red Cross ?
A: Because she wanted to be a first-aid kit !
Q: How do you know that cats are sensitive creatures?
A: They never cry over spilt milk!
Q: Why was the cat so small?
A: Because it only ate condensed milk!
Q: What does the lion say to his friends before they
go out hunting for food?
A: 'Let us prey.'
Q: Why happened when the cat swallowed a coin?
A: There was some money in the kitty!
THE PUNISHMENT
A sailor was caught AWOL as he tried to sneak on board his ship at about 3 am.
The chief petty officer spied him and ordered the sailor to stop. Upon hearing the sailor's lame explanation for his tardiness, the officer ordered the sailor, "Take this broom and sweep every link on this anchor chain by morning or it's the brig for you!"
The sailor began to pick up the broom and commence performing his charge. As he began to sweep, a tern landed on the broom handle. The sailor yelled at the bird to leave, but it didn't. The lad picked the tern off the broom handle, giving the bird a toss. The bird left, only to return and light once again on the broom handle. The sailor went through the same routine all over again, with the same result. He couldn't get any cleaning done because he can only sweep at the chain once or twice before the blasted bird returns.
When morning came, so did the chief petty officer, to check up on his wayward sailor.
"What in the heck have you been doing all night? This chain is no cleaner than when you started! What have you to say for yourself, sailor?" barked the chief.
"Honest, chief," came the reply, "I tossed a tern all night and couldn't sweep a link!"
THE SOUP
Checking the menu, a restaurant customer ordered a bowl of vegetable soup. After a couple of spoonfuls, he saw a circle of wetness right under the bowl on the tablecloth.
He called the waitress over and said,
"It's all wet down here. The bowl must be cracked."
The waitress said, "You ordered vegetable soup, didn't you?"
"Yes."
"Maybe it has a leek in it!"
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MANNERS AND CUSTOMS IN BIBLICAL LANDS
HAND WASHINGThis was very important to the Israelites who were very careful to wash their hands before every meal. Water was poured, often by a servant, over hands held over a basin. Without cutlery, washing was a necessity. An important part of Elisha's duties as a servant to Elijah was pouring water over his hands (2 Kings 3:11).
Adapted from: '1001 Surprising Things You Should Know About The Bible' MacGregor & Prys
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'PSALM OF THE WEEK' FREE AUDIO DOWNLOAD
PSALM 93Composed for the Temple Liturgy.
A hymn dedicated to the eternal reign of the Lord.
Each week, be encouraged, comforted and inspired by listening to a track from our Psalms CD, 'The Mighty Lord Reigns'.
My thanks to Keith Duncan, in Scotland, for making this possible.
You may download your audio recording here...
http://www.personal.dundee.ac.uk/~kmduncan/wwj/mp3/track_18.mp3
UNDERLYING BIBLICAL SPIRITUAL MEANINGS
Tips to Help You Better Understand the Spiritual Meaning of Your BibleMany words in the Bible have implied spiritual meanings as well as literal ones. For instance, numbers in Hebrew have an underlying meaning as well as a numeric value. e.g. the number 7 speaks of completion or perfection. Other words have a spiritual significance as well as a literal meaning. e.g. when scripture talks of a ‘lamb’ it is usually a type of Jesus, the ‘Lamb of God’ (John 1:29)
I trust that this list will help you better understand some of the amazing spiritual truths hidden in the pages of God’s Word, the Bible. Do be careful however, to apply these types and pictures sensibly. The relevance of their application must be considered in the context in which the words are used in the passage being studied and in the Bible as a whole.
Animals
D0VE-------------Holy Spirit
OTHER BIRDS-----Demons
LAMB------------Jesus
Other
ARMOUR-----------Protection
BABYLON----------Religious confusion
DOOR, GATE-------Jesus i.e. the entrance to God
The place of authority where we bind or loose powers for good or evil.
(Thanks Irene)
EGYPT------------World
LINEN------------Righteousness
ROD--------------Authority
SWORD-----------The Word (Bible)
YEAST, LEAVEN---Sin, Human weakness, False doctrine, Corrupt practices (but not in Matthew 13:33)
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DAVID'S DOWNLOAD
A REVELATION OF... PARABLE OF THE SOWERFind out the meaning for today of this famous parable, as it applies to Christians.
NOTE: Takes a little longer to download as it contains pictures. But its worth the wait!
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WAXING LYRICAL
When writing my book, ‘Eagles Fly High!’ I would go sometimes go up and stay at somefriends’ holiday home about half an hour north of where we live. This poem relates one
of my experiences there. Ironically, I eventually left the words I wrote out of the book
–saved them for another time. I thought the poem though, was worth leaving in.
THE SHEEP AND THE GOAT! (2 of 2)
I merely shrugged my shoulders, reacted very well,
Not like earlier days, when in anger I would dwell.
For the Lord had prompted me on the previous night
To print out a copy. Thanks to him, all would be right.
But I’m afraid I was still most unenthusiastic,
More hours of typing, don’t seem so fantastic!
For on my mind was ‘Life’s a Lawnmower Mate!’
So I sailed into it, all twelve verses did I create.
This philosophical piece took right through ’til lunch,
Not when fasting though, you’re not allowed to munch!
So I had a short walk, now taking time to ponder,
About my mistake, my sanity beginning to wonder.
A little happier now, for the poem was fun to write,
Too bad I have to work, so far on into the night.
I got down to it, typing my lost copy in,
Wasted hours really, but that was no sin.
The typing finished, took a wee drive,
To see the area, view how people thrive.
At 7pm I started again by gently rebooting the computer,
But ‘The Sheep and the Goats’, it came not one word nearer!
What would I do? Was my day to be a waste?
Because of one decision, that too made in haste.
But the Lord, he had another idea – you wait and see,
‘The Sheep and the Goats’, came flooding into me.
For hours I tapped furiously on the keys,
Fingers hard at work, like ten busy bees.
Five hours later, here it is - it’s finished!
My earlier despondency, quickly vanished!
Now it all goes to show, I guess,
The Lord can get us out of a mess.
On those days when everything goes wrong,
We can rely in Jesus, if to him we belong.
More of David's poems at...
A DAVID MUSING
This week has been a 'family week' including meeting my two youngest grandchildren, Nathan and Charis, aged 19 months, for the first time. Not forgetting Eva, as if that was possible, for she is now a confident young lady of nearly 6!Along with Andrew and Catriona, the proud parents, and finally, my wife Kathy, after another one week's (too long) absense.
The week has been spent doing family things, getting to know the grandchildren, with them getting to know us, and spending time catching up with A & C.
We are now praying for a white Christmas. It is so unusual for us to be celebrating Christmas in the cold, for it is a summer celebration in New Zealand. Bring on the roast turkey instead of the BBQ!
Until next week...
MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD.
His servant and yours
David Tait
Today's 'Word Puzzle' Answer: SWELTER
TODAY'S 'DO YOU KNOW?' ANSWER: c. Sinners who have repented and turned away from sin. In verse 31 we see that the first son actually did his father's will, even though he refused at first. In the same way, repentant sinners have at fist refused to follow God's commandments, but later turned away from sin and become obedient. As in verse 31, these repentant sinners are welcomed into God's kingdom.
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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