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: 356 Published: 18 Aug 2008
TRANSFORMATION OF THE CHURCH: 3. FROM KINGS TO KINGDOM (continued)
Today my testimony will finish - I think! Not because I am on my last legs (as far as I know!) but because we have come to the present, and none of us knows what the future will bring.Today, as I look back at my life in Jesus, I can see huge changes that He has made in me. Probably the biggest though, is in my perception of me. Let me explain.
I come from a background of success. My father was a 'Sir', a knight of the realm, honored for his work to the city of Napier where he was Mayor for 18 years. And an exceptional one too!
At school I was successful. Not the best at any one thing, but good enough at most things to become the Best All Rounder of my final year.
In business I had great success but also big failure. It was through bankruptcy that I came to Jesus.
When I entered the Christian world, this success looked destined to continue. The Walking With Jesus course was written with amazing leading from the Holy Spirit and widely distributed. A series of evangelical meetings was held and the Holy Spirit came in power. The Lord was with me.... until!
Until it was time to break me! Criticism came after the meetings, followed by despair and depression, followed by a break from public ministry, followed by a call, several years later, into 'full time' (sic.) ministry, followed by a second bankruptcy through attempting to make financial provision for myself.....
The Lord was breaking me, changing me, taking a little - maybe a lot - of the me out of me.
Nearly 7 years ago now, PGIM started. Through PGIM, public ministry started again. Travel and overseas ministry opportunities arose. Although the Holy Spirit accompanied me with His presence and power, it was as if I was hitting my head against a brick wall with the revelation and understanding the Lord had given me. It wasn't until more recent times, firstly in South Africa, then in other places, that the Lord finally put me in touch with others with a similar understanding.
During the times of my travels, in many places, I was placed on placed on a pedestal, particularly when the Holy Spirit moved powerfully. Others, of course, tried to use me, and the Spirit, to meet their own agendas! Through God's grace and His work in breaking me in the experiences I have mentioned, I was able to resist most of this. Also, sending a Westerner to Africa on 50 cents a day helps keep pride under control too! For one cannot easily be self-reliant or proud in such circumstances!
However, within each one of us, there remains the natural human attitude of a king. A hunger for bigger things, a bigger ministry (or church), all of course, to 'help' the Lord more. But the Lord doesn't need help! Well, help of our making, that is!
Since being led back into business over the past 18 months, I have had even more of these 'king' attitudes removed from my life. And the attitude of 'the kingdom' installed to a greater degree. "Lord, use me as you will. I am all yours. My life is not my own but yours, Lord." If I don't minister in public again, that is okay with me. If He uses me to minister to millions, that is okay too.
Don't get the impression I am perfect or that my submission is complete, for the 'me in me' still rises up. But, as I look back over the years I can see that it is getting less in my life.
I don't know what my personal future will bring. While none of us do, the more we submit our will to the Father's, the less control we have over our future direction!
I had no expectation to go back into business. Currently the pressures are huge as we are faced with the repercussions of our hugely over regulated society, here in New Zealand. I am not sure what the next week will bring. But I do know that the Lord has my future in His hand. All He has told me is to work through the challenges one step at a time. If I am to stay in business, that is okay, if not, that is okay too. May His will be done.
I am attempting to be obedient, one day at a time. What God chooses to use me for tomorrow, and the day after, is up to Him. My desire to be a 'spiritual king', as seen in the eyes of the world is dead. Gradually, I am learning that 'Jesus (truly) is Lord'.
Lord, you are the only King in my life. May Your kingdom come upon the earth.
Amen.
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FROM THE WORD
THE PARABLE OF THE RICH FOOL"Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.†Jesus replied, “Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?†Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.†And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop. He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’ “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.â€â€™ “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ “This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God.†(Luke 12 :13-21)
PAUL BOASTS ABOUT HIS SUFFERINGS
"I repeat: Let no one take me for a fool. But if you do, then receive me just as you would a fool, so that I may do a little boasting. In this self-confident boasting I am not talking as the Lord would, but as a fool. Since many are boasting in the way the world does, I too will boast. You gladly put up with fools since you are so wise! In fact, you even put up with anyone who enslaves you or exploits you or takes advantage of you or pushes himself forward or slaps you in the face. To my shame I admit that we were too weak for that! What anyone else dares to boast about—I am speaking as a fool—I also dare to boast about. Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they Abraham’s descendants? So am I. Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn? If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who is to be praised forever, knows that I am not lying. In Damascus the governor under King Aretas had the city of the Damascenes guarded in order to arrest me . But I was lowered in a basket from a window in the wall and slipped through his hands.
PAUL'S VISION AND HIS THORN
I must go on boasting. Although there is nothing to be gained, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord. I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows. And I know that this man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows— was caught up to paradise. He heard inexpressible things, things that man is not permitted to tell. I will boast about a man like that, but I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses. Even if I should choose to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say. To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.†Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." (2 Corinthians 11:16-12:10)
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DAVID'S DOODLINGS
572. To serve is a privilege, to abuse the server, a sacrilege.573. Show me a true servant and I will show you one whom God truly loves.
574. To abuse God’s servant is to abuse God himself.
575. Maturity in God is learning that service is a privilege, not a burden.
576. The firepower of God’s Army is ‘service’.
577. Service is the invincible secret weapon of God’s Army.
578. ‘Service with a smile’ means to ‘go the extra mile.’
579. The world works by taking away, God by giving away.
580. To go down to go up is logical. Ask a bouncy ball!
581. To serve is a blessing, to lead a challenge. To be a servant leader, a challenging blessing!
582. A theologian thinks, a worshiper feels, a servant acts.
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
21 So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs and closed up the place with flesh. 22 Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.
23 The man said, “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called ‘woman,’ for she was taken out of man.†(Genesis 2:21-23)
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TUESDAY TEACHINGS
GOD AND MAN continuesWith a look at the most perplexing question of all! How do I keep the commandments of Jesus?
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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." ***
748. PANCAKES
A five-year-old said grace at family dinner one night. "Dear God, thank you for these pancakes." When he concluded, his parents asked him why he thanked God for pancakes when they were having chicken. He smiled and said, "I thought I'd see if He was paying attention tonight."
747. GOOD NEWS, BAD NEWS
Good News: You baptized seven people today in the river.
Bad News: You lost two of them in the swift current.
Good News: The Women's Guild voted to send you a get-well card.
Bad News: The vote passed by 31-30.
Good News: The Elder Board accepted your job description the way you wrote it.
Bad News: They were so inspired by it, they also formed a search committee to find somebody capable of filling the position.
Good News: You finally found a choir director who approaches things exactly the same way you do.
Bad News: The choir mutinied.
Good News: Mrs. Jones is wild about your sermons.
Bad News: Mrs. Jones is also wild about the "Gong Show," "Beavis and Butthead" and "Texas Chain Saw Massacre."
Good News: Your women's softball team finally won a game.
Bad News: They beat your men's softball team.
Good News: The trustees finally voted to add more church parking.
Bad News: They are going to blacktop the front lawn of your parsonage.
Good News: Church attendance rose dramatically the last three weeks.
Bad News: You were on vacation.
Good News: Your deacons want to send you to the Holy Land.
Bad News: They are stalling until the next war.
Good News: Your biggest critic just left your church.
Bad News: He has been appointed the Head Bishop of your denomination.
Good News: The youth in your church come to your house for a surprise visit.
Bad News: It's in the middle of the night and they are armed with toilet paper and shaving cream to "decorate" your house.
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: Which Shakespearean play is the only onethat has a dog in its cast?
ANSWER: The dog's name is Crab, appearing in ‘The Two Gentlemen of
Verona’. (To nip its fellow actors?)
THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: What is an ‘interrobang’?
Answer Next Week.
SOME FUN FACTS501. SEEING THE BLUES
Owls are one of the only birds who can see the colour blue! (In the dark too?)
502. SNEEZE SPEED
A sneeze travels out of your mouth at over 100mph (160kmh). (Yet I can catch it in my hand!)
503. DAY AFTER DAY
Your heart beats over 100,000 times a day! (Around 37 million times a year – more in Leap Years!)
A WORD PUZZLE FOR YOU
Make another word from this word using all the letters.
KISSER
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 - YOU BE THE JUDGE!
4) Who was Jabin's commander?A - Sippai
B - Sisamai
C - Sisera
D - Sotai
Source: www.biblequizzes.com
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IF ONLY I'D THOUGHT OF IT!
"""OTHER'S SAYINGS TO ENLIGHTEN, AMUSE, OR BEMUSE"""!!!!!!! 21. Learn to stand back and let others take their turn as leaders. There will always be new opportunities for you to step out in front again.
!!!!!! 22. Divide big jobs into little jobs. If God took six days to create the universe, can you hope to do any better?
!!!!! Take time to read the Bible. Thoughtful reading is enriching reading.
!!!! Direct your life with purposeful choices, not with speed and efficiency. The best musician is one who plays with expression and meaning, not the one who finishes first.
!!! Take a day off alone; make a retreat. You can learn from monks and hermits without becoming one.
!! Work with your hands. It frees the mind.
! Sit in the dark. It will teach you to see and hear, taste and smell.
100'S MORE TO BE FOUND AT...
JUST JOKES
233. BEST BUDDIESMary announced that she was going to start a diet to lose some pounds she had put on recently.
"Great," Sue exclaimed. "I'm ready to start a diet too. We can be dieting buddies and help each other out. And when I feel the urge to drive out and get a burger and fries, I'll call you first."
"Wonderful," Mary replied. "I'll go with you."
232. THE FINAL QUESTION
An eccentric philosophy professor gave a one question final exam after a semester dealing with a broad array of topics. The class was already seated and ready to go when the professor picked up his chair, plopped it on his desk and wrote on the board: "Using everything we have learned this semester, prove that this chair does not exist."
Fingers flew, erasers erased, notebooks were filled in furious fashion. Some students wrote over 30 pages in one hour attempting to refute the existence of the chair. One member of the class however, was up and finished in less than a minute.
Weeks later when the grades were posted, the rest of the group wondered how he could have gotten an A when he had barely written anything at all. His answer consisted of two words: "What chair?"
231. IT'S AN ILL WIND.....
"This house," said the real estate salesman, "has both its good points and its bad points. To show you I'm honest, I'm going to tell you about both. The disadvantages are that there is a chemical plant one block south and a slaughterhouse a block north."
"What are the advantages?" inquired the prospective buyer.
"The advantage is that you can always tell which way the wind is blowing.."
More jokes, for no reason at all but to have a laugh...
BIBLE TRIVIA
THE OSTRICH...was abundant in the Arabian Desert in Job's time, and lasted there until World War 2. Job describes her so accurately in Job:39:14-17.
Adapted from: '1001 Surprising Things You Should Know About The Bible' MacGregor & Prys
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INDONESIA: Christians Use Malls to Pray
Empty shopping malls in West Java are now home to a growing number of Christian congregations. According to church groups, reported the BBC, more than 100 churches that have faced attack or intimidation by Muslim groups in the past two years are using the malls for worship before opening hours. In one mall there are ten such groups. Some churches even use hospitals.The head of the Islamic Defenders Front told the BBC that the reason churches were closing was not about religion, it was just that some were not following the rules. However, to get an official permit congregations must get 90 signatures of support from their non-Christian neighbors. In some areas, that is not easy to do.
Source: Operation Mobilization News Bytes via GO GLOBAL MISSIONS REPORT 2008 No. 64
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DAVID'S DOWNLOAD
‘WALKING WITH JESUS’ COURSEA 3-part course of understanding based on Revelation 12:11. An easily understood, practical series on living the Christian life today. Compiled in 1993-4, the 3 studies, each accompanied by 6 hours of tapes, have been used by over 10,000 New Zealanders plus many overseas, to gain an increased understanding of what ‘walking with Jesus’ is all about. Is useful for enquirers, new Christians and particularly, those seeking an extra dimension to their faith. Ideal for home groups and church teaching sessions too. A non-denominational course, it is supported by Christians from diverse backgrounds. The 3 parts cover
1. The Way of Salvation: Finding Jesus as your personal Saviour.
2. Life Through the Spirit: Christian living through the teaching
of Jesus and in the power of the Holy Spirit.
3. Jesus is Lord: Living our lives for Jesus.
So if you desire a deeper relationship with your God, this can help point you in the right direction. You still have to make the effort though! Can’t do that for you!
WHAT OTHERS SAY ABOUT IT
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"………We have a small Home group which meets in our home every Wed. morning and although we all know and love the Lord we found your tapes and the books helpful & interesting. It’s always good to hear someone else’s experience and teaching…….." (RT Nelson, NZ)
"…….I actually found this very comprehensive, although I have been a Christian for many years. I had been interested to enable me to learn, hopefully, to pass on to others the way of salvation…….." (JH Taupo, NZ)
"When I initially responded to the invitation in the Catalogue from ‘Your Garden’, it was with the idea of maybe receiving material suitable to pass on to those questing for answers. At the time I myself was going through a time of testing & what I can only term a ‘wilderness walk.’ However, after receiving the second lot of teaching tapes I can no longer contain my excitement & simply felt that now I must write you……. (VS Sarina, Australia)
"…….. I wonder if you would allow our church to make use of these tapes as we are setting up a library and I am sure they would make a very valuable addition….." (KA Whangarei, NZ)
"……. Thankyou for the ‘Lord Be With Me’ music sheet. I enjoy playing it. Also thanks again for the time, effort and money you’ve spent on the ‘Walking With Jesus’ course. I think you’ve done a wonderful job & I’ve found working through it truly worthwhile, and I have learnt a lot about a practical life of submission to our Saviour, Lord Jesus Christ……." (ST Christchurch, NZ)
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WAXING LYRICAL
It is so easy to blame the Lord, or others, when things go wrong in our life. Yet the answer is found not in struggle, but in submission. Putting our life in His hands.LORD - HELP ME!
Now's the time when you are feeling low,
All your effort, with so little to show.
When life is getting on top of you,
God's Word doesn't seem true.
You're looking for a boost,
Chickens home to roost!
Nothing's working,
Life so hurting!
Indescribable!
Unbearable!
"Hey!
Pray!"
"Do I hear,
Voice in ear?"
"Now, listen to me,
One plus two, can be three!
If today, you will let me help you,
Your dreams, they can still come true.
When you rest your all in my gentle hand,
Your horizons, I will again, begin to expand."
Why do we ignore His advice?
Unwilling to pay the price,
Of giving all our being over to Him,
Rather let life's light, grow so dim.
Yes I'm still learning to understand,
Life, when it's placed in His hand,
Will simply, so much better be,
Than if it's only guided by me!
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A DAVID MUSING
After a one week drought at the Olympics winning no medals, on Saturday New Zealand had its best day ever, winning 5 medals, 2 gold, one silver and 2 bronze. Would have been 3 gold, except for the dreaded 'Beijing belly' affecting one of our rowers, costing him 2 places plus the emptying of his stomach contents immediately after the race! To top the day off, our national rugby team, the All Blacks, comprehensively beat their major rivals, South Africa, in South Africa, always something difficult to do. Our local ladies, the Evers-Swindell twins, became heroes by retaining their Olympic Double Skulls rowing title by 100th of a second - about 10cm, over 2 kilometres! A photo finish!Of course, we have spiritual heroes of the faith too. People we look up to for their exploits in God. But in God, we each have our own race to run. We do not compete against one another. We need to encourage one another. Our battle is with spiritual powers and our own selfish, fallen ways. Each of us has the opportunity to collect our 'gold medal from Jesus', to hear Him say, "Well done, good and faithful servant," at the end of our race of life.
Please pray for my wife Kathy as she continues to experience irregular heart beats. Also for our ongoing negotiations with the Napier City Council concerning the continuation of our business in our current building.
Camera wise, it is probably time to invest in a new one! But coming, partly, from a Scottish background, I will likely persevere for another week to get you a picture of our new Hastings shop before finally admitting defeat! It's a 'boy thing'!
Until next week...
MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD.
His servant and yours
David Tait
Today's 'Word Puzzle' Answer: SKIERS
TODAY'S 'BIBLE QUESTION': 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
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