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: 276 Published: 05 Feb 2007
GIVING HIM THE KEY (A Guest Editorial)
This is so good, I need to share it with you!TGIF Today God Is First, by Os Hillman
Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with Me. - Revelation 3:20
A friend of mine tells the story of an encounter he had with a very important government official - the head of state for a country. In the course of some meetings with my friend, the official came up to him and said, "I perceive that there is a difference between you and me. Is it because I come from a different denomination?" My friend began to explain why there was a difference.
"If you were to come to my home, I would invite you in as an honored guest. As my guest, you would enjoy everything I had in my home. However, you would still be a guest. You would not have the keys to the home, and your authority in that home would be merely as a guest. However, if I said to you that I am turning over my home to you and you now have the keys to my home, I would be your servant with the responsibility to run the home through your counsel and direction." My friend continued, "This is the difference between you and me. I have given Jesus the keys to my home [heart]. You have merely invited Him in to yours as an honored guest."
"How can I do this too?" the man replied.
"All you have to do is invite Him in as the new owner."
The man did this and is now allowing Jesus to rule and reign in every detail of his life.
So often many of us enter a relationship with God that brings us salvation. This is the gospel of salvation. But what God really desires for us is to experience the gospel of the Kingdom. He wants us to experience His power and presence every day of our lives and to see His hand at work in us. This only happens when we give Him the key to our life; He must be more than an honored guest.
Where are you today? Has your life with God been more like an honored-guest relationship, or does He have the key to your life?
"Excerpted with permission from the book TGIF Today God Is First by Os Hillman. Copyright 2003. Reprinted by permission. For free daily email subscription to TGIF Today God Is First, visit www.TodayGodIsFirst.com or www.MarketplaceLeaders.org"
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FROM THE WORD
TO THE CHURCH IN LAODICEA"“To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.â€" (Revelation 3:14-22)
PRAYER
""And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. “This, then, is how you should pray: â€â€˜Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’ For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins." (Matthew 6:7-15)
GETHSEMENE
"Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.†He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.†Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.†Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour?†he asked Peter. “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.†He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.â€" (Matthew 26:36-42)
You may read and study the 'New International Version (NIV)' online at...
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DAVID'S DOODLINGS
BELIEVERS v DISCIPLES236. A believer praises the Lord in good times, the disciple at all times.
237. The Holy Spirit resides in the believer but shines through the disciple.
238. A believer loves God with heart and mind while a disciple commits the will.
239. A believer loves God and others, but they are the disciple's life.
240. A believer lives in hope, but for the disciple, God's hope is certain.
241. A believer seeks forgiveness for sin but the disciple also determines not to walk that path again.
242. A believer has faith in God but the disciple's faith is tempered in the fire of testing.
243. A believer loves the Lord, but the disciple's love is unconditional.
244. The believer serves the Lord in strength, but the disciple is made perfect through weakness.
245. God is part of the believer's life, but the central focus of the disciple.
246. A believer forgives, but the disciple also forgets.
247. A believer communicates with God at their own convenience, but the disciple's heart is open to the Lord at all times.
430. A believer knows, but the disciple does.
1077. Believing is free, discipleship costs your life.
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
14 “Issachar is a rawboned donkey lying down between two saddlebags. 15 When he sees how good is his resting place and how pleasant is his land, he will bend his shoulder to the burden and submit to forced labor. (Genesis 49:14-15)
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TUESDAY TEACHINGS
A REVELATION OF....... THE 3 GARDENS OF GODTHE GARDEN OF EDEN (Part 2)
We will have a look at the implications of the Garden of Eden for us today.
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*** ANOTHER DAILY EZINE FROM WWJ!*** 'LAUGHING AT OURSELVES' Subscribe Today
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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." ***
THE WITNESSING BARBER
There was a barber that thought that he should share his faith with his customers more than he had been doing lately. So the next morning when the sun came up and the barber got up out of bed he said, "Today I am going to witness to the first man that walks through my door."
Soon after he opened his shop the first man came in and said, "I want a shave!" The barber said, "Sure, just sit in the seat and I'll be with you in a moment." The barber went in the back and prayed a quick desperate prayer saying, "God, the first customer came in and I'm going to witness to him. So please give me the wisdom to know just the right thing to say to him. Amen."
Then quickly the barber came out with his razor knife in one hand and a Bible in the other while saying "Good morning sir. I have a question for you..........Are you ready to die?"
DIRTY WATER
A Mother decided it was time that her three sons get baptised. So, after weeks of suitable instruction she felt that it was time. One bright Sunday morning they were on their way to church where the three boys, 8, 9, and 11, were have their sins washed away.
The mother noticed that here 9 year old seemed to be particularly lost in thought so she asked him what was on his mind.
"Mom, I want to go first." he replied.
"Why do you want to first?" she asked her son with a smile.
"Because," he began with a pause in his voice, "I really don't want to be baptised in water that has all of my brother's sins floating around in it."
THEY'RE SURE SMALL
What are the 2 smallest insects in the bible?
The widows mite and the wicked flee!
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 769 sermon fillers for your entertainment and use at ...
FACTS FOR FUN
LAST WEEKS QUESTION: What is the real name of the painting now known as the 'Mona Lisa'?ANSWER: 'La Giaconda'. Supposedly the portrait of the wife of a middle-class Florentine merchant. A number of other alternatives have also been suggested. (Will always be 'mona' to me.
THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: Where does the name 'Jolly Roger' come from?
Answer Next Week.
SOME FUN FACTS396. JUST IN CASE
In 18th century English gambling dens, there was an employee whose sole job was to swallow the dice if there was a police raid. (A dicey job!)
397. DIVERSITY
Over 150 ethnic groups exist in Cameroon. (All united through the national game of football!)
398. KEEPING FIT?
The average housewife (househusband) walks 10 miles (16 km) a day around the house doing their chores. In addition, they walk nearly 4 miles and spend 25 hours a year making beds. (But over 100 times as long sleeping in their beds as making them.)
A WORD PUZZLE FOR YOU
Make another word from this word using all the letters. (Can you remember from last week?)
REASON
Answer at the end of A David Musing
FREE DOWNLOAD: You can download the full version of our Trivia Book at TRULY TRIFFLING TRIVIA
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BIBLE QUESTION - BOOK OF JUDGES
4) Who was Jabin's commander?A - Sippai
B - Sisamai
C - Sisera
D - Sotai
Source: www.biblequizzes.com
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"""!!!!!!! We can stand affliction better than we can prosperity, for in prosperity we forget God.
(Dwight Moody)
!!!!!! Christ is a substitute for everything, but nothing is a substitute for Christ. (Ironside)
!!!!! No one who really wants to count for God can afford to play at Christianity.
!!!! If lips and life do not agree, the testimony will not amount to much.
!!! Time is given us to use in view of eternity.
!! No one ever lost out by excessive devotion to Christ.
! Christianity is Christ!
100'S MORE TO BE FOUND AT...
MORE BIBLE RIDDLES
Thought we had done all possible Bible riddles in our last, very popular series. However, I have now found some more for you to enjoy, courtesy of Frank Schaefer of javacasa.comQ. What kind of lights did Noah use on the ark?
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A. Flood lights.
Lots more riddles found at...
PETS RULE
LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED FROM A DOG! If you stare at someone long enough, eventually you'll get what you want.
! Don't go out without ID.
! Be aware of when to hold your tongue, and when to use it.
! Leave room in your schedule for a good nap.
! Always give people a friendly greeting.
! When you do something wrong, always take responsibility (as soon as you're dragged out from under the bed).
MORE EXCERPTS FROM A CAT'S DAIRY
DAY 752 - My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while I am forced to eat dry cereal and some slop from a tin. The only thing that keeps me going is the hope of escape, and the mild satisfaction I get from ruining the occasional piece of furniture. Tomorrow I may vandalise another table leg.
DAY 761 - Today my attempt to kill my captors by weaving around their feet while they were walking almost succeeded, must try this at the top of the stairs. In an attempt to disgust and repulse these vile oppressors, I once again induce myself to vomit a furball on their favorite chair... moderate success. For greater impact I must try this on their bed.
DAY 765 - Decapitated a mouse and brought them the headless body, in an attempt to make them aware of what I am capable of, and to try to strike fear into their hearts. They only cooed and condescended about what a good little cat I was... Hmmm. Not working according to plan.
DEAR GOD
Dear God, When we get to Heaven, can we lay on your couch? Or is it the same old story?
Dear God, Excuse me, but why are there cars named after the jaguar, the cougar, the mustang, the colt, the stingray, and the rabbit, but not one named for a dog? How often do you see a cougar riding around? We dogs love a nice ride! I know every breed cannot have its own model, but it would be easy to rename the Chrysler Eagle the Chrysler Beagle!
Dear God, If a dog barks his head off in the forest and no human hears him, is he still a bad dog?
Dear God, Are there dogs on other planets, or are we alone? I have been howling at the moon and stars for a long time, but all I ever hear back is the beagle across the street.
Dear God, Are there mailmen in Heaven? If there are, will I have to apologize?
Dear God, Is it true that dogs are not allowed in restaurants because we can't make up our minds what NOT to order? Or is it the carpets again?
Dear God, When my family eats dinner they always bless their food. But they never bless mine. So, I've been wagging my tail extra fast when they fill my bowl. Have you noticed my own blessing?
Dear God, I've always lived at the shelter and I have everything I need. But many of the cats here have names and I don't. Could you give me a name, please? It would be good for my self-esteem.
Enjoy more pet humour at...
MANNERS AND CUSTOMS IN BIBLICAL LANDS
DEATHUpon death, a wail was raised to let the neighborhood know what had happened. Described as a sharp, shrill, ear-piercing shriek followed by prolonged wails. This was a sign for relatives to start mourning. Pharaoh and his officials were woken up by this on the first Passover night. (Exodus 12:30)
Adapted from: '1001 Surprising Things You Should Know About The Bible' MacGregor & Prys
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ORDINARY MISSIONARY SEES HUNDREDS HEALED IN COLUMBIA
INSPIRE By Martin CollinsA British itinerant missionary says he witnessed hundreds of healing miracles during his recent ministry trip to the Colombian city of Cali.
Many were healed including Juan and Anna de Dios, who had received back and neck injuries in a car accident. After prayer all injuries were gone and they were dancing. A woman saw this happen and asked Paul to pray for her father who was lying paralysed on a trolley. He was suffering from liver failure and was unable to speak.
Paul quoted words from Scripture, “You shall run and not be weary; walk and not faintâ€. He then moved on to another patient. Minutes later the daughter came back to ask Paul to come and see something. When they got back to the (empty) trolley, she said that her father had suddenly sat up and said, “I have to run!†which he did – straight out of the hospital.
On the medical ward he met Jose who asked Paul to pray for him. Paul obliged and moved on. Hearing a loud commotion, he turned to see Jose’s sister calling urgently for him to come and see her brother who was walking. He’d been paralysed from the waist down for more than a year.
By the third week, 90% of the beds contained new patients as the previous occupants had all been healed. Some were cured when they met a previously paralysed man in the toilet – he told them what had happened to him and they were healed on the spot.
“I went to Cali with an expectation of God doing the extraordinary, and I was not in any way disappointed,†says pastor John Crowder. “There was this sense that anything was available if you had the faith to believe for it.
Full story here: Source http://www.inspiremagazine.org.uk/news.aspx?action=view&id=697 (Via The outreach files)
More facts on evangelism are found at...
NEW ONLINE TOOL FOR CHURCH WEBSITES
"Does your church's website communicate to outsiders as well as to the members?" asks a new web resource. A church site is the congregation's 'shop window' to its community. To fulfill this function well, it must be enticing, people-centered and easily understandable by outsiders. Unfortunately, many churches are unsure how to achieve this vital mix.So the Internet Evangelism Day team has produced an online self-assessment tool. It leads a church through a series of questions, to highlight areas of their website which may need development.
A church site which has been prioritized for non-Christian visitors can be remarkably effective in reaching the community. "Week in, week out, more visitors turn up at our church on a Sunday because of the website, than anything else," writes one growing church.
The Internet Evangelism Day site also explains other types of online evangelism, such as outreach websites, video clips, blogging and podcasts. There is even a free 'conversation starter' screen-saver to download.
Check out this excellent tool at...
DAVID'S DOWNLOAD
A REVELATION OF……. 3 KINGDOM AGES OF GODAn excellent tool to help better understand Bible history and God's plan for mankind throughout the ages. Kingdom ages, that is! And to get a glimpse of the kingdom yet to come and how we can participate in it.
Download your free PDF File now at...
WAXING LYRICAL
Before Adam and Eve sinned, there was no need for time, for they had eternity. The tyrany of time is one of the costs of man's fall.A MATTER OF TIME
Isn’t time such a wonderful thing,
Seems as long as a piece of string.
Not knowing where it begins, or is likely to end,
With so much of it, you can give some to a friend.
In the bright sparkle of youth,
It’s never ending, ’tis the truth!
So much to do, but with all the time in the world,
No hurry to use it! In bed we lie, snugly curled.
Then comes along the responsibilities of life,
Now it’s time to settle down with the wife.
Still the time ahead, it seems so great,
To be lovingly shared, now with a mate.
But soon comes along the patter of little feet,
And suddenly, time is no longer in surfeit!
For now there just are too few hours in the day,
To do all your work, no longer time to play.
The family grows up,
With a cat and a pup.
Then all of a sudden they are leaving home,
For now it’s their turn, the world to roam.
Where did all the years dash?
Disappeared now in a flash!
Yes, time it truly does you con,
Once so much, now all gone.
Then it’s time to do all the things we desire,
As time passes, from our work we may now retire.
But while the mind is willing, the body’s now weak,
For old man time, havoc on our person does wreak.
So the moral of the story, both for woman and man,
Is to use every minute in the best way we can.
For all too soon, time comes to an end,
Then to heaven or hell, it does us send.
More of David's poems at...
A DAVID MUSING
A day can start off in a very ordinary way, simply sitting at the computer. Until the phone rings! No, not about Kathy's mother, who is doing well. But from our very good friend Graham, telling us his 23 year old daughter Ruth had died, completely unexpectedly. A tragedy! Where are you God? How could You let this happen?The truth is, life is fragile. We just do not know when our time is going to be up - be we old or young! Such tragic events should kick start us to take the Word to our relatives, friends and the world. For the time could be shorter than we think - for us or for them!
Please pray for Graham and Jude and their family in this time of terrible tragedy in their lives.
Until next week...
MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD.
His servant and yours
David Tait
Today's 'Word Puzzle' Answer: SENORA
TODAY'S 'BIBLE QUESTION' ANSWER: ) C - Sisera (Judges 4:2)
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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