TRANSFORMATION OF THE CHURCH: 3. FROM KINGS TO KINGDOM (continued)

Last week we considered the first of 3 relationships we are to have as disciples of Jesus, that with the Father through Jesus.

The second relationship we are to have is with fellow believers.

This is something I have struggled with over the years. For I am not naturally a hugely relational person! Along with most men, I am task rather than people oriented. It is reality that women fit more easily into Christian ways, as 'relationship', both with God and people, comes more naturally to ladies. Two thirds of the church world-wide, consists of women! The proof is in the jaw movements! Men use about 15000 words per day, while women manage 30000!

Personally, I would rather listen than speak in a general conversation with another. A quiet type - most of the time!

A major key to developing discipleship in both our own lives and in others is sharing experiences. Or 'testimony', as we call it in the church.

As we mentioned last week, small, new, 'churches' are more effective in evangelism than their larger, established counterparts. A large part of this is due to the development of closer relationships between the members of the group. Being small and new they need to relate more closely in order to develop the group. Once a group, a church, matures, the patterns, traditions and ways of doing things develop and formalize, which reduces the need for close interpersonal relationships.

It reaches the point where we go to church on Sundays, praise God, which is great, hear a sermon about the 'right way' to do things, be nice to the people we meet ('everything is wonderful') and go home depressed, to face the reality of our own, less than perfect lives, not realizing that other congregants are facing the same challenges we are. While we may have a 'testimony time' in the Sunday service, the testimonies are always positive stories with good outcomes, of difficulties overcome, which is also excellent, but may or may not help us in the difficulties we are facing that day. Testimonies easily become surreal rather than real, for none of us want to be seen in a bad light when we testify. Been there, done that!

Our church services are very much organised on a 'receiving' rather than a 'sharing', relational, basis. This becomes more pronounced, for practical reasons, the larger the congregation gets.

Churches endeavour to overcome this through the institution of small groups, of whatever name. These can be help people relating more closely, one to another. However, if the groups become structured 'mini churches' where the majority of the input proceeds from the leader downwards, there is little difference to a 'Sunday situation'. This remains a major problem in the House Church Movement, where a house has simply been substituted for church building, but the downward 'preaching' principle continues unchanged, negating the worthy objectives the Movement is trying to achieve.

In recent years too, here in New Zealand, I have noticed an increasing tendency for church home groups to become more controlled by the hierarchy, their purpose becoming more to reinforce what the speaker said last Sunday rather than necessarily dealing with the positives and challenges of the reality the attendees are facing in their daily lives.

Of course, it is easier to see the problem than to find a practical solution! Particularly for men! Women are more likely to get together over a coffee and discuss their lives.

I would like to share with you the approach of the international men's organisation, 'Promise Keepers', regarding this. For you may find something in this you can apply to your personal life and that of your church.

BANDS OF BROTHERS
Reaching the Goal Together

At Promise Keepers we constantly talk about Men’s Small Groups – “Bands of Brothers” - building relationships that hold fast through thick and thin so that we are not isolated and alone. A lone soldier cannot win a war. Others can encourage and challenge us to build our life on integrity, righteousness and holiness. These are the characteristics of God.

Promise Keepers promotes '4-Wheel Drive' groups. These are ideally 4-5 men, meeting weekly in a closed group (not open to visitors), building relationships and accountability. This is the Rolls Royce gold-plated version. It may not be suitable or attainable to everyone. So what are the other options?

Open groups - These are usually church-based and larger, meeting on a weekly basis. A committed core group is always there and others come and go.

Casual meetings - Lunch or coffee with one other guy once a month or so may be a starting point, or a maintenance option. Three men works okay, but the dynamic is different from a larger group. If one guy can’t make a meeting, the dynamics are different again.

Our life as Christians means that we should be growing more Christlike – more like Christ. That growth reflects Christ’s glory to others. It is a relationship built on love, not rules. Love comes from knowing Him. As men, we can find building our relationship with God difficult as the day-to-day problems of living and issues with other people demand our attention. Sometimes life just isn’t working out the way we expected or hoped. So how can real change happen? It can take men to reach men. Men who take time to care enough to help each other in a common goal of growing more like Christ.

In today’s busy climate, face-to-face meetings can be supplemented with other communication like phone calls, email, texting and messaging.

Because of the importance of standing strong together in the spiritual battle for souls, Promise Keepers is committed to supporting groups by publishing study books for small groups and providing other resources and information here on this site: Promise Keepers New Zealand

Decide to get involved, if you are not already, and to make it work. Be a friend to others and look for ways to meet some of their needs - not just your own needs. Together we can achieve more than we can alone!

We need to be encouraging one another, through honest sharing of both the successes and the challenges we face in our lives. For relationship and agape love are intertwined.

23 And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us. (John 3:23)

KINGS require subjects, those who will do as they are instructed by the king. This is the foundation upon which much of the church is based, having developed in this fashion over the past 2000 years. We have denominational and individual church kings. All too readily we accept it as the 'normal' way of doing things. However today, God is calling us into KINGDOM relationships, intimate relationships with our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ of like minds. Those who have a deep hunger for more of God and truly desire to become more like Jesus. It is through such relationships, guided by the Holy Spirit, that God's kingdom on earth will expand in a way we have only dreamed of in the past.

Next week, we will look at the third area of relationship.

(Testimony to be continued next week)

Find out more about us at...

http://www.wwj.org.nz/about.php

FROM THE WORD

LOVE ONE ANOTHER

"This is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another. Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own actions were evil and his brother’s were righteous. Do not be surprised, my brothers, if the world hates you. We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death. Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life in him.
This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him. And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us. Those who obey his commands live in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us." (John 3:11-24)

LOVE

"Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." (Romans 12:9-21)

A CALL TO PERSEVERE

"Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." (Hebrews 10:19-25)

Read the Bible (NIV Version) online at...

http://www.ibs.org/niv/index.php

***DAILY EZINE!*** 'DAVID'S DAILY DOODLINGS' Subscribe Today

Receive one of David's sayings in your mailbox each day to inspire, challenge or maybe, amuse.

To register today, simply click here ddd-on@wwj.org.nz
and press send. Then it's done!

If you have an Irish heritage, you will love the background coloring!

Should you wish, check out current and back issues (where you can also subscribe) at...

http://www.wwj.org.nz/doodlings/index.php

DAVID'S DOODLINGS

DISCIPLESHIP

214.-235. Discipleship is...

... doing the right thing because we want to, not because we are expected to.

... being a servant both to God and man.

... honouring God with body, soul and spirit.

... loving the Lord with all our heart, soul and mind.

... being 100% committed to the Lord's cause.

... putting the Lord first in all things.

... placing the Lord's desires ahead of our own.

... applying the Lord's will to our mind and emotions.

... accepting the Lord's correction graciously.

... being joyful in the Lord - even while being corrected!

... subverting our will to His.

... centred upon giving rather than receiving.

... becoming a little more like Jesus every day.

... being prepared to die for our Lord.

... honouring and worshipping God as Lord, rather than a 'holy Father Christmas.'

... being the one God would like us to be.

... placing God's needs and others godly needs ahead of our own.

... helping others attain to their ministries, even to the expense of our own.

... being Jesus to others.

... retaining the joy of the Lord in times of personal sadness.

... putting wrongs right - graciously!

... walking as one with the Lord, night and day.

878. 'A disciple' has no need of 'a title'.

879. A disciple turns words into actions.

880. Believers believe, while disciples live what they believe.

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 ...

http://www.wwj.org.nz/dd.php

CRANWELL'S CARTOON

13 So Moses stretched out his staff over Egypt, and the LORD made an east wind blow across the land all that day and all that night. By morning the wind had brought the locusts; 14 they invaded all Egypt and settled down in every area of the country in great numbers. Never before had there been such a plague of locusts, nor will there ever be again. 15 They covered all the ground until it was black. They devoured all that was left after the hail—everything growing in the fields and the fruit on the trees. Nothing green remained on tree or plant in all the land of Egypt. (Exodus 10:13-15)




TO READ THIS CARTOON AND SEE THE OTHER
PICTURES IN THIS EMAIL YOU NEED TO BE ONLINE.

Check it out at...

http://www.wwj.org.nz/wwword.php

TUESDAY TEACHINGS

GOD AND MAN continues

We will start to look at the commands of Jesus to us on how we are to live.

Check out all the available teachings at...

http://www.wwj.org.nz/teachings/index.php

*** ANOTHER DAILY EZINE FROM WWJ!*** 'LAUGHING AT OURSELVES' Subscribe Today

As Christians, if we can't laugh at ourselves, others will! A fun way to start your day.

To register today, simply click here lao-on@wwj.org.nz and press send. Then it's done!

Should you wish, check out early issues (where you can also subscribe) at...

http://www.wwj.org.nz/laughing/index.php

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." ***

742. SIGNS ON CHURCH PROPERTY
"No God -- No Peace. Know God -- Know Peace."
*
"Free Trip to Heaven. Details Inside!"
*
An ad for St.Joseph's Episcopal Church has a picture of two hands holding stone tablets on which the Ten Commandments are inscribed and a headline that reads, "For fast, fast, fast relief, take two tablets."
*
"People are like tea bags -- you have to put them in hot water before you know how strong they are."
*
"God so loved the world that He did not send a committee."
*
"When down in the mouth, remember Jonah. He came out alright."
*
"Fight truth decay -- study the Bible daily."
*
"Dusty Bibles lead to Dirty Lives"
*
"Come work for the Lord. The work is hard, the hours are long and the pay is low. But the retirement benefits are out of this world."
*
"Do not wait for the hearse to take you to church."
*
"If you're headed in the wrong direction, God allows U-turns."
*
"If you don't like the way you were born, try being born again."
*
"Looking at the way some people live, they ought to obtain eternal fire insurance soon."
*
"This is a ch_ _ ch. What is missing?" ---------> (U R)
*
"Forbidden fruit creates many jams."
*
"In the dark? Follow the Son."
*
"If you can't sleep, don't count sheep. Talk to the Shepherd."

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 ...

http://www.wwj.org.nz/laugh.php

FACTS FOR FUN

LAST WEEKS QUESTION: Throughout the years, many Popes have been
assassinated or have been the targets of assassinations. Who was
the first Pope to be murdered? John Paul II, Leo X, John V, John VIII
or Luke IV.

ANSWER: John VIII (died 882) was the first Pope to be murdered. He
was poisoned and then clubbed to death. (Double jeopardy?)

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: a. What exactly defines a planet?
b. Which is the only planet to have an orbit that crosses that of
another planet?

Answer Next Week.

SOME FUN FACTS

510. NO FACIAL HAIR
The Mona Lisa has no eyebrows. It was the fashion in Renaissance Florence to shave them off. (Raises a few eyebrows, does this revelation!)

511. ALWAYS TALKING
New Yorkers make around 36 million phone calls daily. (How many ‘busy’ signals do they get?)

512. PARDON?
Baseball player Connie Mack’s real name was Cornelius McGilicuddy. (Too long a handle to bat with!)

A WORD PUZZLE FOR YOU

Make another word from this word using all the letters.

STEELED

Answer at the end of A David Musing

FREE DOWNLOAD: You can download the full version of our Trivia Book at TRULY TRIFFLING TRIVIA

Or view all 1232 online at...

http://www.wwj.org.nz/facts.php

BIBLE QUESTION - YOU BE THE JUDGE!

1) Who is the first judge mentioned in the book of Judges?

A - Ahab
B - Ehud
C - Othniel
D - Gideon

Source: www.biblequizzes.com



Heaps more fun and serious 'God Facts' are found at...

http://www.wwj.org.nz/gfacts.php

IF ONLY I'D THOUGHT OF IT!

"""OTHER'S SAYINGS TO ENLIGHTEN, AMUSE, OR BEMUSE"""

!!!!!!! Better to be patient on the road, than a patient in the hospital.

!!!!!! Always drive so that your license will expire before you do.

!!!!! It is better to be last in the traffic lane, than first in a funeral procession.

!!!! Safety hint: The moment you forget for a moment; you may remember a lifetime.

!!! Drive carefully___ Remember, it is not only a car than can be recalled by its maker.

!! Safe driving will keep your car out of the junkyard, and your body out of the graveyard.

!! A good driver keeps his eyes on 2 things when coming to a traffic light___ red lights and “green drivers”.

! What has not happened to you in 10 years of driving, may happen to you in the next 10 min.

100'S MORE TO BE FOUND AT...

http://www.wwj.org.nz/thought.php

GREAT GROANS!

80. 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!"

81. THE FLY AND THE COW
A farmer was milking a cow and a fly was flying around. He shushed it away with his hand and it flew in the cow's ear.

He kept milking and the fly came out in the milk bucket.

The farmer thought to himself, "In one ear and out the udder".

83. THE MINISTER AND THE PAINT
A Minister had a group of trustees over to paint the parsonage. It was getting late and it looked like they were going to run out of paint, but by that time the paint store was closed. The pastor looked and noted that it was water based paint, so they added water to thin the paint and finished the job.

That night it rained cats and dogs. The pastor worried that the paint which wasn't dry would be washed from the house. Sure enough, in the morning all the paint to which they had added water was washed from the house. At that moment the clouds parted and the pastor heard a voice from above. It said "Repaint and thin no more."

Search out more Extensive Explanations at

http://www.wwj.org.nz/groans.php

BIBLE TRIVIA

THE RED FOX

...an animal we think is clever, was derided by Solomon. Every reference to it in the Bible is derogatory. In Israelite cities they were quickly killed, for they scavenged like wild dogs and hyenas. They would eat anything - rodents, eggs, insects and grass, even fruit. This may explain Solomon's comment about 'little foxes that ruin vineyards.' (Song of Songs 2:15)

Adapted from: '1001 Surprising Things You Should Know About The Bible' MacGregor & Prys

Lots more 'God Facts' are found at...

http://www.wwj.org.nz/gfacts.php

MONGOLIA: Christian broadcasters having an impact on Mongolia

Mongolia is a culture of atheism, Buddhism and Shamanism. There are 2.6 million people there. In 2000, Far East Broadcasting Company started broadcasting Christian radio in the country. Today, there are more than 40,000 Christians and 400 churches. Director of FEBC's Wind FM Bat Tuvshintsengel (tuv-SHIN-sin-gehl) says the challenge today is obvious. "The church has been wide in evangelism, but in terms of discipleship we're lacking a lot of capacity like leadership. That's why the churches have a goal to make 10-percent of our population disciples of Jesus Christ by the year 2020." Wind FM has plans to be on the air in all 21 provinces. But the vision doesn't end there. "We have six million Mongolians living in China who have no chance of exposure to the Gospel. And so we want to reach out to these people via shortwave. Today shortwave is still very, very prominent." Recruiting a Christian for broadcasting in the Inner Mongolian dialect is underway.

Source: GO GLOBAL MISSIONS REPORT 2008: No. 64

Many more Godfacts at...

http://www.wwj.org.nz/gfacts.php

DAVID'S DOWNLOAD

TABERNEAGLES (part one)

A summary of one man’s vision for God’s final ‘Tabernacle’ (Apostolic) church, preparing to become the ‘bride’ that Jesus is returning for. The vision is soundly based upon the scriptures (not included here – found in Book Too of ‘Eagles Fly High!’ – ‘The First & Last Word’) illuminating the pattern of the ‘Feasts of The Lord’ in both the Old and New Testaments.

Drawn from the trilogy ‘Eagles Fly High!’, this picture of the final church is presented through prophecy, allegory, poetry, and scripturally based vision.

Definitely a tasty morsel for the hungry in God. For those seeking to discover more about God’s plans for their lives and the church as a whole. Find out all about the ‘Taberneagle Army’ that God is starting to raise up at this critical time in our history.

A 72 page read to both inform and inspire you to make Jesus the Lord of your life.

Check it out and get your free download here...

http://www.wwj.org.nz/pdf/10p46.pdf

WAXING LYRICAL

Words that tell a succinct story!

...EPT

While Jesus wept,
The Disciples slept,
Could not accept,
His divine precept.

His death swept,
Felt totally inept,
To themselves kept,
While time crept.

Resurrection concept,
No promises unkept,
They became adept,
So to service lept!

More of David's offerings at...

http://www.wwj.org.nz/waxing.php

A DAVID MUSING

Naturally, this week has been very busy, getting organised for the opening of our new shop on Wednesday. All is going well. So busy that I left my camera out at Hastings, meaning I cannot show you a picture! But next week I may be able to relax on the beach - except it is the middle of winter!

Stop rambling David, and get on with it!

Until next week...

MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD.

His servant and yours

David Tait

Today's 'Word Puzzle' Answer: DELETES

TODAY'S 'BIBLE QUESTION': C - Othniel (Judges 3:7-9)

REPRODUCTION OF NEWSLETTER CONTENT

Most weeks we get enquiries about reproducing, in electronic or print form, articles contained in 'PGIM!' We welcome and encourage you to utilize this material. Freely received, freely given. We would ask though, that the source be acknowledged as an encouragement to others to subscribe to this newsletter also.

Subscription opportunities are available here Subscribe Here

at the bottom of each newsletter or at...
https://www.macnet.co.nz/wwjesus/pay.html

DONATIONS

Each month, because of the size and nature of our web site and maintenance of our sophisticated emailing system, it costs over $200 in provider fees to bring this ministry to you. If you are able to help us meet this expense your credit card donation would be very much welcomed at Make Donations Here as a live connection or at https://secure.macnet.co.nz/www.wwj.org.nz/pay.php
if you prefer to paste the address into your browser. Thanks.

CHANGING YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS? NEWSLETTER STOPS COMING?

Each week we can lose up to 2% of our readers when they change email addresses without letting us know. Or sometimes, by your server acting strangely and just cutting us off! If you are about to change your address, please advise us of both your old and new addresses here at
enquiries@wwj.org.nz and we will happily change our records to ensure ongoing delivery. Thanks.

Please also keep our address in your address book, as sometimes servers will automatically delete your address if there is even a one off problem in delivery. If your newsletter doesn't arrive, please let us know and we will reinstate you.

LINKS

If you would like to link your web site to ours, and ours to yours, please advise us on
links@wwj.org.nz

DOES THIS EMAIL HAVE A BLUE BACKGROUND AND RED HEADINGS?

YES - Great!
NO - Your web browser needs to be set to 'Rich Text'. If you have an older 'Text Only' browser, this email may also be viewed on our web site at ...

http://www.wwj.org.nz/wwword.php

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
7 Bull Street
Ahuriri
Napier
New Zealand

Phone: (06) 835 0567 International (+64) 6 835 0567

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