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: 297 Published: 02 Jul 2007
THE REALITY OF 'MATURITY'
This week, everyone in the USA will be celebrating my 'big oh!' birthday with fireworks! There may, of course, be another minor celebration, such as Independence Day, happening at the same time!At times of significant events in one's life, you naturally look back on what has been and hopefully, to the future, to what is yet to come.
Today however, I don't wish to burden or bore you with me and my life, but rather, to look at the reality of 'maturity' in the church.
From the commencement of the church, a pattern has been established that has been repeated many times over during the last 2000 years.
The church was born under persecution. It was set up by a small band of 'sold out enthusiasts', a remnant of those who had heard Jesus preach and teach for 3 1/2 years. The majority, who had once heard and believed, finally rejected His message as being too hard, being content to settle back into the ways of Jewish society, difficult as it was under Roman rule. They were satisfied with attending the Temple or synagogue on a Saturday, while getting on with life in much the same traditional way as their fathers (and mothers) had done before them.
The remaining radical remnant, no doubt despondent, were wondering if they too had been duped by another in the long line of 'Jewish saviors' who had turned out to be hoaxes. They likely gathered together for a 'last hurrah' on the Day of Pentecost. It was now or never!
Of course, we know the rest of the story. The Holy Spirit came in power and the church was born. But only the hungry, only the desperate for God, experienced it! They were changed! They were revolutionized! And they influenced the world forever more!
They spread the Word without personal reward, without a salary, without buildings, without programmes, suffering unbelievable hardships and persecution along the way. They were revolutionaries, they were radical for Jesus!
Inevitably, as we now look back and see, for it has been repeated time and time again during the last 2,000 years, the initial revolutionary movement became formalized, institutionalized and spiritually dead. The Dark Ages were dark because of the general rejection in the church of the Holy Spirit. Man knew better than God. Man organized God to suit his own comfort. The church became a profession rather than a calling.
So it has been ever since. From Luther to Wesley, from Booth to Asuza Street (and many more), movements started by persecuted revolutionaries, full of the Holy Spirit have, after a period of rejection, been absorbed into the mainstream church, their power lost in our human obsession of conforming God to our ways.
The focus changes from enthusiastically embracing Holy Spirit revelation, guidance and power, to setting up yet another religious movement with rules and regulations, assets, salaries and programmes, all in the name of maturity. In reality, a slow spiritual death!
As I am now about to enter my sixties I can understand how this happens. For it does in the physical. The body does slow down (a little!) - even I have to admit that! We tend to become more staid in our ways. Comfort, not risk, easily dominates our thinking. We tend to look back on what might have been rather than what is still to come. Living on past glory, rather than in future hope.
This 'maturing' process is surely is a picture of the church too.
Yet I sense there is a dissatisfaction in many today, both young and old, with this natural, worldly maturation process. There is a rumbling amongst sold out believers world wide. People are seeking new ways to express the hope they have found in Jesus. A new revolution is brewing!
While it is new in our eyes, it is old in principle. It is again another group of people hungry for the Holy Spirit, both within and outside the established church, prepared to sacrifice everything they have for the will of the Father to be done in their lives.
These are a people whom God is searching the world for today. He is seeking those who both desire and are prepared to make the sacrifice to become His beautiful bride, His end time church, those who will rule and reign with Him for 1000 years on the earth. Not a church as we understand it. Not another group. Not a denomination. Rather, individuals, found world wide, sold out to Jesus but united in Spirit. An apparent rabble through human eyes, misunderstood by the 'mature' establishment.
For there is a people coming forth in these last days, a people filled with the power of the Holy Spirit who will revolutionize the world for Jesus.
Yes, the Spirit comes not to those content to be content, but instead, to 'sold-out' believers who have not lost their first love, disciples prepared to fully give in to God, allowing Him to purify and sanctify their lives.
"Lord, may I truly learn the lessons of the past and live my life totally sold out to you."
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FROM THE WORD
LIFE THROUGH THE SPIRIT"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man, in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit. Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you. Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation—but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.†The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory." (Romans 8:1-17)
"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." (Galatians 2:20)
THE THOUSAND YEARS
"And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain. He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended. After that, he must be set free for a short time. I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony for Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or his image and had not received his mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years. (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years." (Revelation 20:1-6)
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 1300 David sayings for you to view at ...
CRANWELL'S CARTOON
THE COMING OF THE LORD
13 Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those
who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have
no hope. 14 We believe that Jesus died and rose again and
so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have
fallen asleep in him. 15 According to the Lord’s own word,
we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till
the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who
have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will come down
from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the
archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in
Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive
and are left will be caught up together with them in the
clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with
the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage each other with
these words. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)
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TUESDAY TEACHINGS
NEXT WEEK THE 12 FEATURES OF ELISHA’S MINISTRY AS A PATTERN FOR THE CHURCH TODAY - A SummaryTogether with the principle message that God is showing us 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." ***
618. TRUE MARRIAGE
A priest and a nun are on their way back home from a trip when their car breaks down. They are unable to get it fixed, so they decide to spend the night in a hotel. The only hotel in the town has only one room available.
Priest: Sister, I don't think the Lord would have a problem, under the circumstances, if we spent the night together in this one room. I'll sleep on the lounge and you have the bed.
Nun: I think that would be okay.
They prepare for bed and each one takes their agreed place in the room. Ten minutes later...
Nun: Father, I'm terribly cold.
Priest: Okay, I'll get you a blanket. (He does)
Ten minutes later...
Nun: Father, I'm still terribly cold.
Priest: Okay Sister, I'll get you another blanket. (He does)
Ten minutes later...
Nun: Father, I'm still terribly cold. I don't think the Lord would mind if we acted as man and wife just for this one night.
Priest: You're probably right...get up and get your own blanket.
617. A SWEDISH SERMON
While on his farm, an immigrant man had a vision and thought he saw the letters “P.C.†in the sky. He interpreted that as “Preach Christ†and felt he was called to be a preacher, though he had very limited reading and writing skills. His wife questioned her husband’s ability and call to the ministry.
“Do you know the Bible?†she asked.
“Ya, I know da Bible from lid to lid.â€
“Well, what part do you like the best?†she asked.
“Vell, I tink da New Testament. Man, dey like da parables da best.â€
“Which parable do you like the best?†she continued.
“I tink I like da Parable of da Good Samaritan.â€
“All right,†she said, “Tell me the Parable of the Good Samaritan.â€
“Ya, vel, many years ago a man vent from Jerusalem up to Jericho an fell among tieves, an dey stole his coat of many colours. An da torns grew up an dey choked dat man, and he met the Queen of Sheba. He did. An da Queen of Sheba gave dat man Joseph a thousand talents off gold, frankincense and myrrh. An he got into da chariot of fire an drove furiously, an ven he was driving under da big tree, his hair got caught in a limb, an left him hangen der. Ya, he hung der many days and nights, an da ravens brought him food to eat an vater to drink, an von night as he vas hangen der, his wife, whose name vas Delilah, came along an cut his hair, an he dropped an fell on stony ground, an it rained for 40 days and 40 nights.
He vent on an came to Jerusalem, an ven Jezebel saw this, she laft at him, an he said, ‘Trow her down.’ An dey trowd her down. An he said, ‘Trow her down again.’ An dey trowd her down 70 times 7 times, an of her fragments dey picked up 12 baskets full. Now I ask you, whose wife will she be in der judgment, ven dey separate da sheep from da goats?â€
His wife said, “Ollie, I don’t think you will pass the seminary exam, and I’m sure that “P.C.†meant for you – “PLANT CORN!â€
FREE DOWNLOAD: You can now download the book 'Laughing At Ourselves' in PDF format at LAUGHING AT OURSELVES
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FACTS FOR FUN
LAST WEEKS QUESTION: Where did the term ‘private eye’ originate?ANSWER: We get ‘private eye’ from the famous logo of the Pinkerton Detective Agency -a wide-open eye. The company, founded in the 1800s, had as its motto: ‘We never sleep’. (So can specialise in finding those who sleep together illicitly.)
THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: Who wrote the first detective novel?
Answer Next Week.
332. WELL TRAVELLED
A drop of water may travel thousands of miles between the time it evaporates into the atmosphere and again falls to the Earth as rain, sleet, or snow. (When does a drop become a drip?)
333. A COLD MORNING
A ‘pogonip’ is a heavy winter fog containing ice crystals. (More than a bit nippy!)
334. IT'S ALL RUBBISH
Public sanitation was definitely at an all-time low during the Middle Ages. Garbage was piled up so high outside the city of Paris during the 1400's that it interfered with the city's defences. (An ‘offence’ to the nose of attackers though.)
A WORD PUZZLE FOR YOU
Make another word from this word using all the letters.
DILUTES
Answer at the end of A David Musing
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BIBLE QUESTION - PAUL
5) Paul's father followed the teachings of:A - Plato
B - Jesus
C - The Stoics
D - Pharisees
Source: www.biblequizzes.com
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IF ONLY I'D THOUGHT OF IT!
"""OTHER'S SAYINGS TO ENLIGHTEN, AMUSE, OR BEMUSE"""WISDOM FROM GRANDPA
!!!!!! Too many couples marry for better, or for worse, but not for good.
!!!!! When a man marries a woman, they become one; but the trouble starts when they try to decide which one.
!!!! The bonds of matrimony are a good investment, only when the interest is kept up.
!!! The older we get, the fewer things seem worth waiting in line for.
!! How old would you be if you didn't know how old you are?
!Ah, being young is beautiful, but being old is comfortable.
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 do John the Baptist and Winnie the Pooh have in common?
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A. Their middle names.
Lots more riddles found at...
JUST JOKES!
335. WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE SAID ABOUT YOURSELF AT YOUR FUNERAL?Three buddies die in a car crash, and they go to heaven to an orientation.
They are all asked, "When you are in your casket and friends and family are mourning upon you, what would you like to hear them say about you?"
The first guy says, "I would like to hear them say that I was a great doctor of my time, and a great family man."
The second guy says, "I would like to hear that I was a wonderful husband and school teacher which made a huge difference in our children of tomorrow."
The last guy replies, "I would like to hear them say, "Look! He's moving!"
334. LETTER FROM YOUR FAVORITE AUNT
Dear Billy Joe Bob,
I'm writting this slow, because I know you ain't a fast reader.
We don't live where we use ta when you left home. Your Pa read in the newspaper that most accidents happen within 20 minutes of your home, so we moved.
I won't be able to send you the address, because the last family that lived here took the house numbers when they moved, so they wouldn't have to change their address.
This place is really nice. It even has a washing machine. It ain't working so well, though. Last week I put a load of clothes in and pulled the chain - we haven't seen them since.
The weather isn't half bad. It only rained twice last week ~ the first time for three days and the second time for four days.
About that coat you wanted me to send. Your Uncle said it would be too heavy to send in the mail with the buttons on, so we cut them off . You'll find them in the pockets.
Ya ol' Uncle locked his keys in the car yesterday. We were really worried, because it took him two hours to get me and your dad out.
Your sister had a baby this morning, but I haven't found out what it is yet, so I don't know if you are an Aunt or an Uncle.
Luv from your Favourite Aunt.
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BIBLE TRIVIA
SOLOMON HAD CEDARS FELLED BY THE THOUSANDS to supply timber for his palace which he named the 'House of the Forest of Lebanon'. He sent shits of 10,000 Israelites every month to help the locals cut don the forests.Adapted from: '1001 Surprising Things You Should Know About The Bible' MacGregor & Prys
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THE JESUS FILM HAS BEEN TRANSLATED INTO ITS 1000TH LANGUAGE
The most translated and widely distributed film in history is not a Hollywood blockbuster. It’s a two-hour docudrama called Jesus. The film, which chronicles Christ’s life based on the Gospel of Luke, recently announced the completion of its 1,000th language translation. This milestone enables the film to reach more than 1 million Indian people, whose “heart language†is Ho. “Our goal is to reach every nation, tribe, people and tongue, helping them see and hear the story of Jesus in a language they can understand,†the film’s Web site stated. “So whether a person speaks Swahili, French or a language whose name is extremely difficult for most to pronounce, he or she will encounter the life and message of Jesus in a language ‘of the heart.’†First produced by Campus Crusade for Christ (CCC) in 1979, the film has since spread through out the world and touched the lives of an estimated 6 billion people. In the small country of Papua New Guinea, an estimated 165,000 people have prayed the prayer of salvation as a result of watching the docudrama. CCC plans to continue to translate the film in to other languages focusing their efforts on languages spoken by more than 100,000 people. "It's a testimony of God's faithfulness," says John Meyer, one of the films translators. "Those 1,000 languages mean that over 90 percent of the people in the world can hear, in their own language, the greatest story ever told."Source: Streams of Revival
Charisma Online
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DAVID'S DOWNLOAD
TABERNACLE TO TABERNACLESHow the pattern of the first Church, The Tabernacle of Moses, has applied to the Church through the ages and predicts the Church to come. 31 pages from 'Eagles Fly High!'
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WAXING LYRICAL
The inspiration for the first two parts of this poem came from a cross-island trek Kathyand I went on when we were staying on the beautiful Island of Rarotonga, in the Cook
Islands. For those who don’t know, The Cooks are situated around the Tropic of Capricorn
in the Pacific Ocean. A great place to visit! The last part is based loosely on the book
of Revelation, Chapters 21 and 22, the biblical promise of what is to come. Hope it is
both enjoyable and challenging to you. Of course it is just verse, so is not all strictly
theologically accurate! Called poetic licence! My longest poem too, so will print it in small bits!
VICTORY! (Part 7)
UNDER THE WATERFALL
Hearing that voice again, “David, the water is coolâ€,
See Kathy there too, already enjoying it in the pool.
Taking the guide book with me, waterproof so I found,
Now jump right in, to where Kathy is playing around.
A great splash - the water is so refreshing!
Gives a new lease of life, ‘tis a real blessing.
Can’t now understand my reluctance to hop in,
Feel really at home here, amongst kith and kin.
Kathy calls me to come, walk under the waterfall,
Together we stand there laughing, have a real ball!
For the water has special healing properties,
Curing us all our aches, pains and disease.
Such healing water, able to lift my spirits inside,
No longer feeling the need, to run away and hide.
Strange really, how it refreshes my soul,
‘Tis so much more than a watering hole.
After playing round in the pool some more,
Hopping out to dry off, being wet to the core.
Sitting on the side, calmly enjoying the breeze,
I am attacked by mosquitoes, as big as bees!
To be continued over the weeks ahead.
More of David's poems at...
A DAVID MUSING
Thanks to those who prayed for my Mum. She is a lot better this week. Both Kathy and I are blessed to still have our mums with us.By this time next week I will be officially regarded as a 'senior citizen.' Unbelievable! Still, at least I may qualify for some 'senior discounts'! There needs to be some benefit to accompany gray hair and wrinkly skin!
Like most others here, I don't feel my age. I am so fortunate to live both in a country and a time where I can now expect to live to 80, in the normal course of events. It is funny, or not so funny really, that we all think heaven is such a wonderful place, yet none of us want to go there just yet!
On the other hand, I do feel for my friends in Africa and Asia where their life expectancy is much shorter than ours. Through africa arise we are trying to make a difference.
Maybe with the gray hair I will acquire some wisdom too.....
Until next week...
MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD.
His servant and yours
David Tait
Today's 'Word Puzzle' Answer: DUELIST
TODAY'S 'BIBLE QUESTION': Pharisees (Acts 23:6)
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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!
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david@wwj.org.nz