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: 384 Published: 02 Mar 2009
SERMON ON THE MOUNT - THE KINGDOM WAY
4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. (Matthew 5:4)EXPOSITION
This is another strange blessing - in our eyes! But what sort of mourning is Jesus talking about?
It is not human mourning, which is likely to be self pity, nor the natural mourning over the death of a loved one, right and proper though that is.
Rather, it is firstly a genuine sorrow over the unworthy state of our own life when compared to the righteousness and holiness of God. Not 'woe is me' but an acknowledgement that we have not yet reached the place that our God desires us to be.
Secondly a godly concern over the state of others. This is to be reflected in both a grieving for those who are unsaved and sinful along with the ability to empathise with others who are going through hard times in their lives.
TESTIMONY
When we first walk with Jesus and make basic changes in our lives, we can easily start to feel we have done well - and so we have. But as we get deeper into relationship with Him, becoming closer to Him, the more we start to understand how far away from being like Him we really are. I have certainly found this to be the case in my life. Hence one of my favorite 'David's Doodlings'.
The closer I get to God, the further away I realise I actually am.
While it often is relatively easy to get rid of many (though not all) of the 'thou shalt nots' in life, it is much more difficult to develop the 'thou shalts', which are really the heart of becoming like Jesus.
Not all are called to be evangelists, but we are all called to evangelise. How? Firstly, through prayer for those we specifically know need Jesus. I find women are far better at this than us men - and me in particular! Secondly, by being as Jesus to others. This is of course, harder to do to those closest to us, as they know us best, all too well seeing our weaknesses!
My wife would say I was born without natural empathy! And she would be right, for I have always been a task focused person. Can I change myself? Well, I can be aware of my nature and temper the extremes of it. But basically, it needs God to change me to give me a heart for others.
So how does He do this? Firstly, I have to be willing to be changed! This is a challenge, for we all resist change. But being a little open, God has done at least two things to help change me.
I have been blessed to be a basically fit, healthy and active person. Hospital visiting etc., was not my thing. Then, my friend Gary who had greatly helped me in WWJ, got terminal cancer. The Lord had me spend time with him. It was hard. Not only was my friend dying but I had no skills or experience in handling the situation. I had to let Jesus do it. Gradually it became easier as I learned from Jesus. Since then, I have had a mini ministry to people with cancer. Some have died, others recovered. It is never easy, but Jesus has changed me to be able to cope with these situations and to be a blessing to the people.
He also gave me this newsletter, as an encouragement to those in ministry, that is, all believers. Sometimes I know I fail, but I guess you are still reading this now! When I first started, 7 years ago, the writings were more general and less challenging - of me and you. I know a few would like me to go back to that style. To have a laugh, maybe make a point, then both of us go back to how we were.
The last year or two though, there has been both a change in me and I believe, in the general spiritual atmosphere. God is pressing more urgently in these latter days to develop His kingdom. Not just in me, but through many, many, kingdom followers worldwide. There is a sense of urgency and excitement building in my spirit. I have a burden to share it with you. I apologise if I sometimes offend or seem to have lost the plot. But I do trust that, on the whole, you are getting the gist of the major change of direction God is calling us to today. A movement away from 'this church' and 'that church' to simply all being 'the church', the living kingdom of God on the earth.
No, I have not become perfect, nor are any at this time. But we are open to being changed into the image of Jesus. For we earnestly desire to be part of the perfect bride for whom Jesus is returning.
7 Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. 8 Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.†(Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.) (Revelation 19:7-8)
Is it your desire to be a part of the bride too?
(To be continued next week.)
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FROM THE WORD
"After this I heard what sounded like the roar of a great multitude in heaven shouting:“Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for true and just are his judgments. He has condemned the great prostitute who corrupted the earth by her adulteries. He has avenged on her the blood of his servants.†And again they shouted:
“Hallelujah! The smoke from her goes up for ever and ever.†The twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God, who was seated on the throne. And they cried: “Amen, Hallelujah!†Then a voice came from the throne, saying: “Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, both small and great!†Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: “Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.†(Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.) Then the angel said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!’†And he added, “These are the true words of God.â€" (Revelation 19:1-9)
"your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven." (Matthew 6:10)
Treasures in Heaven
"“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money." (Matthew 6:19-24)
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DAVID'S DOODLINGS
KNOWING GOD351. The more I discover about God the more I realise there is to know.
352. The closer I get to God, the more I realise how big He is and how small I am.
353. While God graciously accepts me as I am, His desire is for me to become more like Him.
354. When God moves, the results are beyond our imagination. Why then do we try and do His work ourselves?
811. Sanctification is 'the means', holiness 'the end'.
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 PARABLE OF THE GOOD SAMARITAN
25 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,†he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?†26 “What is written in the Law?†he replied. “How do you read it?†27 He answered: â€â€˜Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’†28 “You have answered correctly,†Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.â€
29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?†30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ 36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?†37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.†Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.†(Luke 10:25-37)
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TUESDAY TEACHINGS
GOD AND MAN continues......as we look the Bible's instructions about holy living.
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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." ***
20. SIGNS OUTSIDE CHURCHES
YOU ARE NOT TOO BAD TO COME IN.
YOU ARE NOT TOO GOOD TO STAY OUT.
COME IN AND LET US PREPARE YOU FOR YOUR FINALS.
A MISER IS A RICH PAUPER.
ASK ABOUT OUR PRAY-AS-YOU-GO PLAN.
WE HOLD SIT-IN DEMONSTRATIONS EVERY SUNDAY.
NO MATTER HOW MUCH YOU NURSE A GRUDGE
IT WON’T GET BETTER.
START LIVING TO BEAT HELL.
19. IT'S FUNNY HOW….
….hard it is to read a chapter in the Bible,
but how easy it is to read 100 pages of a best selling novel.
….people want to get a front seat at a game or concert,
but scramble for a back seat at church services.
….we need 2-3 weeks notice to fit a church event into our busy schedule,
but can adjust our schedule at a moments notice for other events.
….how hard it is to for people to tell others a simple gospel message,
but how simple it is to repeat gossip.
….we automatically believe what the newspaper says,
but always question the Bible.
18. COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS
A visitor once asked, "Does it ever rain in Arizona?"
The rancher thought about it a minute and then replied, "Yes it does. You remember in the Bible how it rained for 40 days and 40 nights during Noah’s flood. Well, we got 2 inches of that."
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 a ‘Limey’?ANSWER: Webster's Dictionary defines ‘ Limey’ as ‘slang for a British
sailor, so-named because of the enforced consumption of lime juice in
the navy to combat the scourge of scurvy.’ Scurvy was a disease caused
by deficiency of vitamin C, characterised by spongy and bleeding gums,
bleeding under the skin, and extreme weakness. It wasn't until the
eighteenth century that Dr. James Lind figured out that scurvy wasn't
caused by what sailors ate, but by what they didn’t! Fresh fruits and
vegetables. Dr. Lind studied sailors with scurvy - so weak they could
barely stand up and near death's door as far as one could tell and how
they would remarkably recover in a few days by eating citrus fruits which
are full of Vitamin C, as we now know. (‘Cor blimey, it’s a ‘limey’.)
THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: Why is the Dead Sea so salty?
Answer Next Week.
SOME FUN FACTS416. GET THE GEARS
A car with a manual shift gets 2 miles more per gallon of gas than a similar one with an automatic gearbox. (The effort is worthwhile for both economy and fun.)
417. FIRST PRIZE
You may call it Britain, Great Britain, United Kingdom, or the U.K. However, if you purchase a stamp there, you won't find any name on it. Great Britain was the first country in the world to issue postage stamps, and still today, they are the only nation in the world that doesn't use a national name on their stamps. (Because they wouldn’t know which name to put on?)
418. PERFECTLY ROUND
A bubble is round because the air within it presses equally against all its parts, causing all surfaces to be equidistant from its centre. (Until the bubble bursts, when inequality again rules.)
A WORD PUZZLE FOR YOU
Make another word from this word using all the letters.
EMPHASIS
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 - HILLS AND MOUNTAINS
12) In the battle of the Amalekites and Israelites what did Moses do on the hill top?A - Stood up and cheered
B - Waved them on
C - Held up his hands
D - Prayed
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"""!!!!!!! Since light travels faster than sound, isn't that why some folks appear bright until you hear them speak.
!!!!!! Why do press harder on the remote control, when we know the battery is dead.
!!!!! Corduroy pillows are still leaving headlines.
!!!! Every take-off is optional; every landing is mandatory.
!!! You cannot get ahead, if you're too busy getting even.
!! Love looks through a telescope; envy through a microscope.
! A wishbone should not be where the backbone belongs.
100'S MORE TO BE FOUND AT...
PETS RULE!
38. MORE EXCERPTS FROM A CAT'S DIARYDAY 762 - Slept all day so that I could annoy my captors with sleep depriving, incessant pleas for food at ungodly hours of the night.
DAY 765 - Decapitated a mouse and brought them the headless body, in 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...
DAY 768 - I am finally aware of how sadistic they are. For no good reason I was chosen for the water torture. This time however it included a burning foamy chemical called "shampoo." What sick minds could invent such a liquid. My only consolation is the piece of thumb still stuck between my teeth.
DAY 771 - There was some sort of gathering of their accomplices. I was placed in solitary throughout the event. More importantly I overheard that my confinement was due to MY power of "allergies." Must learn what this is and how to use it to my advantage.
DAY 774 - I am convinced the other captives are flunkies and maybe snitches. The Dog is routinely released and seems more than happy to return. He is obviously a half-wit. The Bird on the other hand has got to be an informant. He has mastered their frightful tongue (something akin to mole speak) and speaks with them regularly. I am certain he reports my
every move. Due to his current placement in the hanging metal room, his safety is assured. But I can wait, it is only a matter of time.
39. FAMOUS DOG QUOTES
"I wonder if other dogs think poodles are members of a weird religious cult." Rita
Rudner
"Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to
the idea." Robert A. Heinlein
"In order to keep a true perspective of one's importance, everyone should have a dog
that will worship him and a cat that will ignore him." Dereke Bruce
"There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face." Ben
Williams
"When a man's best friend is his dog, that dog has a problem." Edward Abbey
"Cat's motto: No matter what you've done wrong, always try to make it look like the
dog did it."
"Money will buy you a pretty good dog, but it won't buy the wag of his tail."
"No one appreciates the very special genius of your conversation as the dog does."
Christopher Morley
"Man is a dog's idea of what God should be." Holbrook Jackson
"The average dog is a nicer person than the average person." Andrew A. Rooney
"I've seen a look in dogs' eyes, a quickly vanishing look of amazed contempt, and I
am convinced that basically dogs think humans are nuts." John Steinbeck
40. EXPENDABLE
The newly-married husband came home from the office to find his young wife in floods of tears. "Darling, whatever is the matter?" he asked.
"Sweetheart," she sobbed, "the most terrible thing has happened! I cooked my very first Beef Bourguignon for you, and I got it out of the oven to season it, and the phone rang. When I came back from answering the phone," she sobbed again. "I found that the cat had eaten it!"
"Don't worry, darling," said her husband. "Don't cry. We can get a new cat tomorrow."
Just love your pets here...
BIBLE TRIVIA
Wrestling with God.Jacob often appears as more of a scoundrel than a patriarch. He cheated his brother Esau for his birthright and tricked his father. However, perhaps the strangest story is found in Genesis 32 when, in preparing to meet Esau, Jacob met God (appearing as a man) and wrestled with him all night. After having his hip torn from its socket, Jacob told the man he would continue to wrestle until he was blessed. God then changed his name to 'Israel', which means, 'wrestles with God.'
Adapted from: '1001 Surprising Things You Should Know About The Bible' MacGregor & Prys
Lots more 'God Facts' are found at...
Online Youth Missions Trip
The Christian Post reports that nearly 2,000 teens have signed up for the "Online Missions Trip" to bombard popular social networking sites with stories about God."During the 'trip,'" writes reporter Michelle A. Vu, "participants will upload videos and photos, post links, and use status updates to share what God is doing in their lives. Participants will also write notes, send messages, post blogs, create invitations to their youth group, and do other things that will help bring God up in a conversation online."
"This is a two-week opportunity for all of us to bombard Facebook, MySpace, YouTube, Twitter, whatever social places you go to online, with the Gospel of Jesus Christ," explained Tim Schomoyer, the organizer of the missions trip and youth pastor at Alexandria Covenant Church in Minnesota.
The goal is reportedly to eventually lead people into face-to-face discussions.
Feb 1-14, 2009: Online Missions Trip!
Feb 15, 2009: Outreach event/series and new-believer follow-up started.
www.onlinemissionstrip.com/
Source: Michelle A. Vu - The Christian Post
Via: The Outreach Files: January 09. beautifulfeettaskforce.injesus.com
Many more Godfacts at...
DAVID'S DOWNLOAD
THE POWER OF THREEA brief look at the amazing way both God and HIS Church are patterned in three’s. An insight to the past present and future.
Download your free PDF File here.....
WAXING LYRICAL
This poem arose out of the unexpected, untimely death of a very good friend's daughter. Why God, why!But still, life continues on for us who are left, until our turn comes to meet our maker.
GONE!
Life's short.
Death's caught.
Comes to all.
Small and tall.
It's good to grieve one who did leave,
But life goes on, loved one gone.
How can we cope - sit round and mope?
From dust to dust, in God we trust.
He seems far away,
As we try to pray!
"Where are you now Lord!
You've broken the cord!"
"I am still here for you, my child,
Know that, with Me, you're wild.
But death, it will ever be,
Until earth, is sin free.
Look up, look up, my son,
Into my arms, do now run,
I am always here for you,
Believe it - it is true.
I so understand your sorrow,
As in My path you do follow.
Gave my Son to die for you,
Grief was in My heart, too.
My ways are different to yours,
Yes, mine is a greater cause.
But with death comes eternal life,
No more worry, no more strife...
When your life you do put in my hand,
With me, for eternity, will you stand.
In Jesus now, you must surely rest,
It's through Him, you pass the test.
Come, my friend, rest in my embrace,
Yes, I am with you, in life's race.
One day too, you will reach the finishing line,
I'll meet you there - your hand clasped in mine."
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A DAVID MUSING
Kathy, my wife, finished her job as an Operating Theatre Nurse at our local state run hospital on Friday, after 6 years there and 12 years in 'theatre' in total.Today she starts a new job for a local eye surgeon. Once trained she will run eye clinics as well as assisting in surgery.
If you can say a prayer for her as she starts upon this new challenge, we would both appreciate it.
Moving on to something new, outside our comfort - or discomfort - zone, is always a challenge. We usually resist it until we are desperate! However, one thing I have found in my walk with Jesus is that He desires (to put it gently) or rather, requires, us to change. Change our attitudes. Change our behaviours. The hard reality is, if we are not prepared to change, then we are not really walking with Him. We are simply standing still!
So as Kathy has done in the natural, we are all required to do in the spiritual on an ongoing basis.
I pray that the new job will bring my darling happiness, and that change may mould us all more into the image of Jesus.
Until next week...
MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD.
His servant and yours
David Tait
Today's 'Word Puzzle' Answer: MISSHAPE
TODAY'S 'BIBLE QUESTION' ANSWER: C - Held up his hands (Exodus 17:8-16)
REPRODUCTION OF NEWSLETTER CONTENT
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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