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: 394 Published: 11 May 2009
SERMON ON THE MOUNT - THE KINGDOM WAY
Adultery27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ 28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell. (Matthew 5:27-30)
EXPOSITION: Like the previous exposition about anger being included with murder, so this explantion of the seventh commandment was again given by Jesus to correct earlier incorrect teachings by the Pharisees. Thoughts as well as actions were to be included.
TESTIMONY: Before commencing this series, I read through the Scripture, saw this section, and dreaded having to write about it! For I am red blooded man and being honest, have heaps of problems in living out the righteous 'Jesus interpretation' of this commandment.
I know that many male readers will experience the same challenge with these words of Jesus too! Females - I don't know about, nor will I pretend to understand!
I understand the importance Jesus placed on this with his descriptive advice of what to do about it! Fortunately He said it to make a point, not be taken literally, otherwise nerly every man would be blind, at the very least!
'Girls, gold and glory' are the three '3G' major downfalls of men. (How about 'glamour, gossip and generational' for women?)
I simply ask for His forgiveness and pray that as I take on more of His character, I might become more like Him. Please help me Lord.
(To be continued next week.)
Find out more about us at...
FROM THE WORD
False Teachers and Their Destruction"But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping. For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them into gloomy dungeons to be held for judgment; if he did not spare the ancient world when he brought the flood on its ungodly people, but protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness, and seven others; if he condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah by burning them to ashes, and made them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly; and if he rescued Lot, a righteous man, who was distressed by the filthy lives of lawless men (for that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard)— if this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue godly men from trials and to hold the unrighteous for the day of judgment, while continuing their punishment. This is especially true of those who follow the corrupt desire of the sinful nature and despise authority. Bold and arrogant, these men are not afraid to slander celestial beings; yet even angels, although they are stronger and more powerful, do not bring slanderous accusations against such beings in the presence of the Lord. But these men blaspheme in matters they do not understand. They are like brute beasts, creatures of instinct, born only to be caught and destroyed, and like beasts they too will perish. They will be paid back with harm for the harm they have done. Their idea of pleasure is to carouse in broad daylight. They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their pleasures while they feast with you. With eyes full of adultery, they never stop sinning; they seduce the unstable; they are experts in greed—an accursed brood! They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Beor, who loved the wages of wickedness. But he was rebuked for his wrongdoing by a donkey—a beast without speech—who spoke with a man’s voice and restrained the prophet’s madness. These men are springs without water and mists driven by a storm. Blackest darkness is reserved for them. For they mouth empty, boastful words and, by appealing to the lustful desires of sinful human nature, they entice people who are just escaping from those who live in error. They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity—for a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him. If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning. It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them. Of them the proverbs are true: “A dog returns to its vomit,†and, “A sow that is washed goes back to her wallowing in the mud.â€" (2 Peter 2:1-22)
Nathan Rebukes David
"The LORD sent Nathan to David. When he came to him, he said, “There were two men in a certain town, one rich and the other poor. The rich man had a very large number of sheep and cattle, but the poor man had nothing except one little ewe lamb he had bought. He raised it, and it grew up with him and his children. It shared his food, drank from his cup and even slept in his arms. It was like a daughter to him. “Now a traveler came to the rich man, but the rich man refrained from taking one of his own sheep or cattle to prepare a meal for the traveler who had come to him. Instead, he took the ewe lamb that belonged to the poor man and prepared it for the one who had come to him.†David burned with anger against the man and said to Nathan, “As surely as the LORD lives, the man who did this deserves to die! He must pay for that lamb four times over, because he did such a thing and had no pity.†Then Nathan said to David, “You are the man! This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from the hand of Saul. I gave your master’s house to you, and your master’s wives into your arms. I gave you the house of Israel and Judah. And if all this had been too little, I would have given you even more. Why did you despise the word of the LORD by doing what is evil in his eyes? You struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword and took his wife to be your own. You killed him with the sword of the Ammonites. Now, therefore, the sword will never depart from your house, because you despised me and took the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your own.’ “This is what the LORD says: ‘Out of your own household I am going to bring calamity upon you. Before your very eyes I will take your wives and give them to one who is close to you, and he will lie with your wives in broad daylight. You did it in secret, but I will do this thing in broad daylight before all Israel.’†Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the LORD.†Nathan replied, “The LORD has taken away your sin. You are not going to die. But because by doing this you have made the enemies of the LORD show utter contempt, the son born to you will die.†After Nathan had gone home, the LORD struck the child that Uriah’s wife had borne to David, and he became ill. David pleaded with God for the child. He fasted and went into his house and spent the nights lying on the ground. The elders of his household stood beside him to get him up from the ground, but he refused, and he would not eat any food with them. On the seventh day the child died. David’s servants were afraid to tell him that the child was dead, for they thought, “While the child was still living, we spoke to David but he would not listen to us. How can we tell him the child is dead? He may do something desperate.†David noticed that his servants were whispering among themselves and he realized the child was dead. “Is the child dead?†he asked. “Yes,†they replied, “he is dead.†Then David got up from the ground. After he had washed, put on lotions and changed his clothes, he went into the house of the LORD and worshiped. Then he went to his own house, and at his request they served him food, and he ate. His servants asked him, “Why are you acting this way? While the child was alive, you fasted and wept, but now that the child is dead, you get up and eat!†He answered, “While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept. I thought, ‘Who knows? The LORD may be gracious to me and let the child live.’ But now that he is dead, why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me.†Then David comforted his wife Bathsheba, and he went to her and lay with her. She gave birth to a son, and they named him Solomon. The LORD loved him; and because the LORD loved him, he sent word through Nathan the prophet to name him Jedidiah." (2 Samuel 12:1-25)
Read the Bible (NIV Version) online at...
***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...
DAVID'S DOODLINGS
GRACE833. When grace abounds, love resounds.
835. Grace builds, unforgiveness destroys.
836. The rain of grace waters the garden of love.
838. As grace grows, heartache dies.
839. The light at the end of the tunnel is called grace.
840. Grace given away is likely to return as love.
841. We readily understand our need for grace. Are others any different?
842. A partner's snoring is the ultimate test of grace!
843. Grace received, revives the soul. Grace given, passes on the blessing to others.
844. Grace is God's power at work in us.
845. Grace is power, not weakness.
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
12 When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he returned to Galilee. 13 Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali— 14 to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah: 15 “Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, along the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles— 16 the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.†17 From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.â€
TO READ THIS CARTOON AND SEE THE OTHER
PICTURES IN THIS EMAIL YOU NEED TO BE ONLINE.
Check it out at...
TUESDAY TEACHINGS
THIS WEEK: TRANSFORMATION OF THE CHURCH: 3. FROM KINGS TO KINGDOM continuesWe look at relationships in the time of Jesus and the early church.
Check out all the available teachings at...
*** 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...
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." ***
46. KNOW WE WILL HAVE THE PERFECT CHURCH WHEN WE HEAR
1. Hey! It's my turn to sit in the front pew.
2. I was so enthralled, I never noticed your sermon went 25 minutes over time.
3. Personally I find witnessing much more enjoyable than golf.
4. I've decided to give our church the $500 a month I used to send to TV evangelists.
5. I volunteer to be the permanent teacher for the junior high Sunday school class.
6. Forget the denominational minimum salary, let's pay our pastor so he can live like we do.
7. I love it when we sing hymns I've never heard before!
8. Since we're all here, let's start the service early.
9. Pastor, we'd like to send you to this Bible seminar in the Bahamas.
10. Nothing inspires me and strengthens my commitment like our annual stewardship campaign.
45. THE REAL TRUTH
Little Johnny had bought Grandma a book for her birthday and wanted to write a suitable inscription. He racked his brain until suddenly he remembered that his father had a
book with an inscription of which he was very proud, so Johnny decided to use it.
You can imagine Grandma's surprise when she opened her book, a Bible, and found neatly inscribed the following phrase: "To Grandma, with the compliments of the author."
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 an ‘inclined elevator’?ANSWER: Quite logically, ‘Inclined Elevator’ was another term used at
the turn of the twentieth century for what we now call an escalator. The
first one was installed at Harrods department store in London and was
scary enough that store personnel served brandy to customers who felt
faint while riding it. (Most today feel faint at Harrods prices!)
THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: What is a Welsh rabbit?
Answer Next Week.
SOME FUN FACTS385. SCIENTIFIC EXPLOSION
It is believed that 90 percent of all scientists who have ever lived are alive now, and that more scientific paper’s have been published in the years since 1950 than were published in all the centuries before 1950. (Have the knowledge, but what about the wisdom to go with it?)
386. CONFUSED CHILDREN
According to the federal Trade Commission, there are 20,000 television commercials made each year aimed exclusively at children. Of these, 7,000 are for sugared breakfast cereals. (Both the ads and the sugared cereals are bad for you?)
387. INTERNATIONAL LANGUAGE
All pilots on international flights have to identify themselves in English, regardless of country of origin. (Some English that even the French cannot avoid!)
A WORD PUZZLE FOR YOU
Make another word from this word using all the letters.
SNOWED
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...
BIBLE QUESTION - WATER WATER EVERYWHERE!
2) God used this to divide the sea before the Israelites:A - An earthquake
B - A strong current
C - A strong wind
D - An invisible wall
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"""!!!!!!! People are never too busy to tell you all they have to do.
!!!!!! Snowflakes are some of nature's most fragile things but look what happens when they stick together.
!!!!! Some minds are like concrete; all mixed up and permanently set.
!!!! You know what happens when you play country music backwards? You quit drinking, you get your wife back, you're rehired and your lost dog comes home.
!!! Why is it that all the semi drivers who cut me off or pull out in front of me never seem to have that "How's My Driving?" telephone number on the back of their trucks?
!! Inflation's at zero? Wow, it's finally keeping up with my salary.
! In 10 years there will be radio stations playing classic rap.
100'S MORE TO BE FOUND AT...
PETS RULE!
43. THE BOSSA man goes into a pet shop to buy a parrot. The shop owner points to three identical looking parrots on a perch and says: "The parrot to the left costs 500 dollars".
"Why does the parrot cost so much?" the customer asks. The owner says, "Well, it knows how to use a computer."
The customer asks about the next parrot and is told "That one costs 1,000 dollars because it can do everything the other parrot can do plus it knows how to use the UNIX operating system."
Naturally, the increasingly startled man asks about the third parrot and is told "That one costs 2,000 dollars." Needless to say this begs the question "What can IT do?"
To which the owner replies "To be honest I have never seen it do a thing but the other two call him boss!"
44. AT THE AUCTION
One day a man went to an auction. While there, he bid on a parrot. He really wanted this bird, so he got caught up in the bidding. He kept on bidding, but kept getting outbid, so he bid higher and higher and higher. Finally, after he bid way more than he intended, he won the bid - the parrot was his at last!
As he was paying for the parrot, he said to the Auctioneer, "I sure hope this parrot can talk. I would hate to have paid this much for it, only to find out that he can't talk!"
"Don't worry." said the Auctioneer, "He can talk. Who do you think it was who kept bidding against you?"
45. WESTERN UNION
A German shepherd went to a Western Union office, took out a blank form and wrote, "Woof..woof..woof..woof..woof..woof..woof..woof...woof."
The clerk examined the paper and told the dog, "There are only nine words here. You could send another 'woof' for the same price."
"But," the dog replied, "it would make no sense at all."
Pets rule here too...
BIBLE TRIVIA
A flakelike substance...... as fine as frost, called manna, appeared each morning on the ground in the desert. When first encountering this magic provision, the Israelites asked God, "What was it?" The word 'manna' they used means 'whatchamacallit'! The name stuck!
Adapted from: '1001 Surprising Things You Should Know About The Bible' MacGregor & Prys
Lots more 'God Facts' are found at...
Congregation Leaves the Building to Become a Community of House Churches
Christian NewswireYORBA LINDA, CA - The growing acceptance of non-traditional church activities like attending house churches, participating in marketplace ministry and listening to religious radio broadcasts is an opportunity to strip down to the basics of 'making disciples', according to one Orange County-based church body.
With Barna Research showing more and more Christians accepting non-conventional church activities and locations as Biblically valid, many churches are experimenting with new locations, delivery styles and outreach methods.
But Pastor Ken Eastburn of The Well interprets the research a little differently. "This research sends a message that Christians are interested in more than just a different way of 'doing church'. They see a need to return to the basics of making disciples. The how and where are not important."
For The Well, stripping down to the basics meant leaving their traditional church building and becoming a community of house churches.
According to Eastburn, "God's Church is really just a group of people striving to become more like Jesus. And, we discovered that our dependence on a building was keeping us from doing that."
Since shedding its building in 2005, The Well has met in homes throughout the Orange County area. The congregates continue to carry on the responsibilities of other churches -- promoting spiritual growth, community, and outreach on both the global and local levels -- but are free from many of the administrative concerns and roadblocks other American churches face.
"Many churches struggle to be what God intended," continues Eastburn. "Things like mortgages, facility maintenance or even traditions imprison a church body from being the hands and feet of Christ. More than ever before, Christians are accepting that we don't need the trappings of conventional churches." So, The Well has decided to share its story with other churches on its blog, LeaveTheBuildingBlog.com, and encourages churches and individual Christians to ask themselves if they are ready to get 'back to the basics'.
Source: ChristianNewswire.com
© 2009 Christian Communication Network
via openheaven.com
Many more Godfacts at...
DAVID'S DOWNLOAD
LAUGHING AT OURSELVESCompiled with a Grin by: David Tait
500 “Christian!?!†Jokes and Stories to Make You Laugh, Cry and – wait for it…. maybe even Think a Little!
PLUS A FREE BONUS!
200 + “QWIK QWIPSâ€â€¦â€¦ to help impress your friends with your quick wit and deep spiritual insight. (Perhaps!)
Download your free PDF File here.....
WAXING LYRICAL
This poem was 2 years in the writing! The inspiration came, half was written, then I got busy on other things! In the last day or two I have had some spare time, so thought to finish it. (Actually I have had more spare time during the two years but never quite got 'a round tuit'!) I hope the result is worth waiting for!MR BUMBLE
The other day I met with a bumble bee,
The two of us together, just him and me.
I asked, "How are you, my high flying friend,â€
As our way down the road, we did gently wend.
“A ‘box of buzzes’ " said Mr Bumble, rumbling along,
In the prime of life - yes, a bee so buzzingly strong.
“I'm on the way to the garden down the road,
Plentiful pollen there, will get me a load.â€
“For I’m a worker bee you see,
One of many, in our big family,
We have a purpose for which to live,
Honey aplenty, to our hive, to give.â€
“Your life is a fulfilled one then,
A privilege not given many men.â€
“I guess it is, in following family tradition,
Feeding the hungry hive’s a real mission.â€
“I learned what to do from my brother,
The Queen you know, is our mother,
It was Jimmy who taught me how to fly,
Led by example, encouraged me to try.â€
“But soon flight, I did learn to master,
With practice, went faster and faster.
Till now I’m known as the ‘brmm-brmm bee,’
Always winning the race to the cherry tree.â€
“Of course, you know you can’t really fly!†I rashly said,
As diplomatic as taking a sledgehammer to his head!
“For the ‘Laws of Aerodynamics’ you know,
State that ‘up in the air,’ you cannot go.â€
‘Your shapes all wrong
To push you along!
Your body’s far too big!
Ever seen a flying pig?’
In full swing now, big in my bumble bee knowledge,
Intensively learned during five full years of college.
“Your little wings wear out beating ten thousand times a minute,
Therefore your life span is only sixty days – at the very limit!â€
Was somewhat surprised at my clever words’ effect,
For these, I thought, he would automatically reject.
But to take on board my knowledge, he did elect,
My erudite words, to him they did only deject!
(Continued next week.)
More of David's offerings at...
A DAVID MUSING
The past few days have been particularly sad, and frightening for many, in our normally peaceful, idyllic, small seaside city (60,000 people) of Napier.As has been carried in news reports around the world, a gunman was holed up for over 2 days in a house, shooting and killing one policeman and seriously injuring two others and a civilian who went to their rescue. All triggered by a normally simple, low key, cannibas operation by the police which went horribly wrong.
The offender was a previous army man who had barricaded and booby trapped the house which made it difficult for the police to enter without further risk to the lives of their men. The 50+ hour standoff came to an end when the house was eventually entered and the guman's dead body found.
We pray today for the families of those who were killed and injured in this tragic incident.
Again, Napier is not the sort of city where you would expect such an incident to occur.
It brings home the fact the veneer of civilisation can so easily be stripped off and man's natural nature of inhumanity dreadfully exposed. And reminds us how each and every one can unexpectedly be called to face their maker.
Am I ready? Are you ready?
Until next week...
MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD.
His servant and yours
David Tait
Today's 'Word Puzzle' Answer: ENDOWS
TODAY'S 'BIBLE QUESTION' ANSWER: C - A strong wind (Exod 14:21)
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.phpif 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 atenquiries@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 onlinks@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 ...
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