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: 399 Published: 15 Jun 2009
SERMON ON THE MOUNT - THE KINGDOM WAY
Giving to the Needy6 “Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2 “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. (Matthew 6:1-4)
EXPOSITION: There are 3 basic requirements of the believer; giving, praying and fasting. The next three beatitudes deal with these in turn.
In essence, the (compulsory) giving of alms to the poor should be done on the basis of need not of show. Once again this was promulgated by the ostentatious excesses of the Rabbis and Pharisees of the time of Jesus. They made a show of giving, but in reality gave little at all. Jesus uncovered their hypocrisy.
We can either be glorified by men for our generosity or by God. The choice is ours.
TESTIMONY: This is a big problem for me in the operation of Seekers Megamarts! And I am not sure that I have the answer!
The objective of our charitable trust is to provide money and clothing to assist the people of Africa who so desperately need help.
In order to attract both donations of goods and to attract customers to our shops, we publicise this fact.
Hence, 2 weeks ago, my picture was on the front of a local newspaper as we sent our first container of clothes away to Africa. I must admit, when I saw the photo on the cover I was firstly very surprised, and secondly, shocked by the very grey hair I saw! Surely a reflection from the flash! Vanity, vanity, too! What hope is there for me!!!
Seriously though, it is so easy to slip from doing good as God commands and leads to a situation of glorifying self.
One lady I met during the week told me how addictive doing community service was, as people looked up to you for it! Sadly, I could see what she meant.
I believe that Jesus looks at the heart motivations of what we do in all areas of our lives. What are our actions intended to do Glorify God or promote ourselves? The balance can be very fine. Hence the warning of this beatitude.
May I, may we, never forget and give Him all the honour and the glory. Amen.
(To be continued next week.)
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FROM THE WORD
Six Woes
"When Jesus had finished speaking, a Pharisee invited him to eat with him; so he went in and reclined at the table. But the Pharisee, noticing that Jesus did not first wash before the meal, was surprised. Then the Lord said to him, “Now then, you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. You foolish people! Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also? But give what is inside the dish to the poor, and everything will be clean for you. “Woe to you Pharisees, because you give God a tenth of your mint, rue and all other kinds of garden herbs, but you neglect justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without leaving the former undone. “Woe to you Pharisees, because you love the most important seats in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces. “Woe to you, because you are like unmarked graves, which men walk over without knowing it.â€" (Luke 11:37-44)
"He said to them, “When you pray, say: â€â€˜Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.’†Then he said to them, “Suppose one of you has a friend, and he goes to him at midnight and says, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, because a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have nothing to set before him.’ “Then the one inside answers, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children are with me in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything.’ I tell you, though he will not get up and give him the bread because he is his friend, yet because of the man’s boldness he will get up and give him as much as he needs. “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!â€" (Luke 11:2-13)
Generosity Encouraged
"And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God’s will. So we urged Titus, since he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part. But just as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us—see that you also excel in this grace of giving. I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich. And here is my advice about what is best for you in this matter: Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so. Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have. Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. Then there will be equality, as it is written: “He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little.â€" (2 Corinthians 8:1-15)
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DAVID'S DOODLINGS
GIVING58. THE GIVERS DICTIONARY
- A RELIGIOUS PERSON follows rules to earn God’s favour.
- The CHRISTIAN delights in giving to God, in gratitude for what He has given us.
- MAN delights in turning ‘gifts to God’, into ‘rules of attainment’.
- GOD seeks an ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE from a giver.
172. How we spend our money and time clearly reveals where we are at in God.
173. The world says, 'Blessed is one who receives', but the Lord says, 'Blessed is the one who gives.'
174. It is so easy to remember the gift, but to forget the giver.
176. Giving in the expectation of receiving a multiplied return, is an investment, not a gift.
318. Any gift given by us, pales into insignificance when compared to the gift given for us.
319. To give out of bounty is great, to give out of poverty, divine.
320. We cannot 'out give' God, but we could always try!
384. Giving should be the heart guiding the wallet, not the other way round.
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CRANWELL'S CARTOON
18 When I say to a wicked man, ‘You will surely die,’ and you do not warn him or speak out to dissuade him from his evil ways in order to save his life, that wicked man will die for his sin, and I will hold you accountable for his blood. (Ezekiel 3:18)
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TUESDAY TEACHINGS
THIS WEEK: TRANSFORMATION OF THE CHURCH: 3. FROM KINGS TO KINGDOM concludes......as we look at the second church Jesus commended, that at Philadelphia.
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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." ***
58. TOP TEN SIGNS YOU'RE IN FOR A LONG SUNDAY SERMON
10. There's a case of bottled water beside the pulpit in a cooler.
9. The pews have camper hookups.
8. You overhear the pastor telling the sound man to have a few (dozen!) extra tapes on hand to record today's sermon.
7. The preacher has brought a snack to the pulpit.
6. The preacher breaks for an intermission.
5. The bulletins have pizza delivery menus.
4. When the preacher asks the deacon to bring in his notes, he rolls in a filing cabinet.
3. The choir loft is furnished with La-Z-Boys.
2. Instead of taking off his watch and laying it on the pulpit,
the preacher turns up a four-foot hour-glass.
AND THE NUMBER ONE SIGN YOU'RE IN FOR A LONG SUNDAY SERMON
1. The minister says, "You'll be out in time to watch the super bowl" but it's only July!
57. EARTHLY WISDOM
A Sunday school teacher was teaching her class about the difference between right and wrong.
"All right children, let's take another example," she said. "If I were to get into a man's pocket and take his billfold with all his money, what would I be?"
Little Johnny raises his hand, and with a confident smile, he blurts out, "You'd be his wife!"
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: What is the only bone in the body that does notconnect to other bones?
ANSWER: The hyoid bone, in the throat, is the only bone in the human
body that does not connect to other bones. Its particular job is to support
the tongue and its muscles. (Gets a greater workout from one sex than
the other!)
THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: Is there really such a thing as a flea circus?
Answer Next Week.
SOME FUN FACTS370. HAVE A CUPPA
There are 48 teaspoons in a cup: three teaspoons make a tablespoon, with 16 tablespoons to a cup. (Two teaspoons of sugar is only one twenty-fourth of a cup. Maybe it would be okay to have more!)
371. LARGE PRINT?
'The Boston Nation’, a newspaper published in Ohio during the mid-nineteenth century, had pages seven and a half feet long and five and a half feet wide. It required two people to hold the paper in proper reading position. (For those who couldn’t afford spectacles?)
372. IN CASE YOU'RE HUNGRY
There are around about 3,000 hot dog vendors in metropolitan New York. (And a lot more dogs. Am not implying it!)
A WORD PUZZLE FOR YOU
Make another word from this word using all the letters.
RINGS
Answer at the end of A David Musing
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BIBLE QUESTION - WATER WATER EVERYWHERE!
7) The Nile River was turned to blood on this plague:A - First
B - Third
C - Fifth
D - Eighth
Source: www.biblequizzes.com
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IF ONLY I'D THOUGHT OF IT!
"""OTHER'S SAYINGS TO ENLIGHTEN, AMUSE, OR BEMUSE"""GOD SAID
!!!!!!! Dear God: I have a problem. It's me.
!!!!!! Silence is often misinterpreted but never misquoted.
!!!!! Laugh every day; it's like inner jogging.
!!!! The most important things in your home are the people.
!!! Growing old is inevitable; growing up is optional.
!! There is no key to happiness. The door is always open.
! A grudge is the heaviest thing to carry.
100'S MORE TO BE FOUND AT...
MORE GREAT GROANS!
200. COMMUTINGA friend of mine who commutes to work everyday through the Lincoln Tunnel with a bunch of co- workers recently complained about what a pain it was. I told him that he may have a bad case of "car pool tunnel syndrome."
201. HUGH MCNASTY AND THE MONKERY
Two members of a small monastery decided to open a florist shop to help raise money for their good works. The idea of buying beautiful flowers from gentle friars appealed to a lot of people in the town, and soon they were flocking to the shop.
Meanwhile, the florist across town saw his business virtually disappear when all his customers began buying flowers from the monks. He thought the monks had an unfair advantage, so he visited them and asked them to return to the monastery and leave business to businessmen. They politely declined.
So he visited the monastery and asked the Abbot to convince the monks to abandon the business. He declined as well.
Next the florist sent his mother, his parish priest and his children to visit the monks, asking them to cease their business so the original florist could make a living. It didn't work.
Finally, in desperation, the florist hired the town thug, Hughson McNasty, to use personal persuasion. Hugh McNasty showed up one night with a cudgel, shattered the windows of the monk's shop, tossed their flowers out into the street, and gave the monk's black eyes, promising them he'd be back unless they closed their business.
Terrified, the monks shut their store and returned to the monastery. Proving, of course... Hugh and only Hugh can prevent florist friars.
202. THE LESSON
A young missionary on his first term in Africa was reading his Bible in a clearing when a lion came up and laid down beside him. As he quietly prayed for deliverance, another lion came out of the bush and laid down by his other side. Convinced that this was a test of his faith, he returned to reading his Bible. As soon as he did, the two lions pounced on him and devoured him.
Moral: Don't try to read between the lions.
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BIBLE TRIVIA
HAMMURABIMeaning 'westerner' was an Ammorite who conquered several Sumerian cities and developed a small empire, making him the first king to elevate Babylon from a small town to a major power. Some scholars believe that Hammurabi as king from 1792-1750BC may be the mysterious King Amraphel, king of Shinar, mentioned in Genesis 14.
Adapted from: '1001 Surprising Things You Should Know About The Bible' MacGregor & Prys
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Underground Church Growing in Muslim-Dominated Indonesia
by Julian Lukins, Charisma OnlineSUMATRA, INDONESIA - Pentecostals on the tsunami-ravaged coast of Indonesia are experiencing a wave of conversions and healings.
In the strongly Muslim Aceh province of northern Sumatra—where 167,000 people died in the 2004 tsunami—the underground church movement is growing, with Pentecostal congregations thriving.
Indonesia has an official policy of religious tolerance, but in Muslim-dominated areas Christians face open hostility and persecution. In Aceh province, churches must register with the authorities and are not permitted to evangelize. Many Christians choose to meet in unregistered—or underground—churches.
Sumatra is one of the least evangelized places on earth, according to Operation World. But since the tsunami—which wiped out 15 percent of the population of Aceh's provincial capital Banda Aceh—numerous underground churches have put down roots.
Pastor Nico (full name withheld for security reasons) started an underground Pentecostal church four years ago with only six members. Today 90 people from the neighborhood make up the Spirit-filled congregation. They endure persecution for their faith. One church family had rocks thrown through the windows of their home, and another family was forced to relocate because of threats.
"It's very difficult for the Muslims to accept us here," the 34 year-old pastor told Charisma. "If the authorities knew where we meet, they would close us down."
Despite the risks, the congregation is mission minded. "We'd like to go to the homes in this area, to the marketplace, to share about Jesus and start another church," Pastor Nico explained. "We love God, but we also have to love people—even those who don't love us."
One of the church members, Novi (full name withheld), grew up in a Buddhist home, burning offerings of money and incense at her family shrine. Two years ago, a traumatic experience set the 24 year-old Novi on a spiritual quest that led to healing and faith in Christ.
Whenever Novi was close to her husband, she felt a peculiar sensation, which she described as worms wriggling under her skin. "You could actually see something moving under the skin," recalled her husband Fumin.
Deeply distressed, the couple sought help from various sources, including witchdoctors, traditional healers and their Buddhist idols. But Novi's condition worsened, leaving her on the verge of a breakdown. "I thought: 'I'm going to go crazy and die,"' she recalled. "I couldn't sleep. ... I felt an overwhelming sense of fear."
Novi became convinced the affliction was a spiritual attack. A relative suggested the couple cross the sea in order to "leave the evil behind." In desperation, they flew to another island, but the attacks intensified.
At her wit's end, Novi listened to her sister who had become a Christian. "My sister told me that I should go to the Highest Power for healing—that is, Jesus," Novi told Charisma. "I thought: If Jesus can heal me, I will follow Him forever."
As they prayed together in Jesus' name, Novi felt a "cleansing surge" through her body. A few days later, she felt another attack and cried out to Jesus. Since then, she has never suffered a recurrence. Now her husband is a leader in the church, and their testimony has drawn others to Christ, including his parents, brother and sister-in-law.
The new converts in Aceh's growing underground church include former Muslims like Ernawati (full name withheld). As a little girl growing up in a devoutly Muslim home, Ernawati visited the mosque with her parents and knelt to pray five times a day.
However, she often asked herself: Who is God? Does He really hear my prayers? Her curiosity grew when she saw the crucifixion scene on The Jesus Film, an evangelistic movie produced by Campus Crusade for Christ. "I wanted to know more about this Jesus," she said.
Shortly before Christmas 2004, 30 year-old Ernawati was at home when a man wearing a white robe appeared and said to her: "Do not be afraid."
"Naturally, I was very afraid," Ernawati recalled. "I didn't know who he was ... and then he disappeared."
Just days later, the tsunami struck. Submerged by the wave, Ernawati cried out: "Jesus ... save me!" Although she could not swim, she suddenly found herself above water and scrambled to safety.
Thousands drowned that day but she was one of the miraculous survivors. Ernawati gave her life to Jesus and joined the underground church. "Now I know the Truth, and the Truth has set me free," she testifies.
Source: CharismaMag.com
and via OpenHeaven.com
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DAVID'S DOWNLOAD
A REVELATION OF……. GIVING TO GODIn Christianity, we hear an awful lot about what God has done for us, but much less of what He desires from us in return!
There is a saying that 'salvation is a free gift, but discipleship costs us everything!' For as Jesus sacrificed His life for us on Calvary's grim hill, so we, in turn, are to model Him, and sacrifice our life for God and for others.
In this study we are going to look at the ways in which we are to offer God the sacrifices He so much desires from us - Praise and Worship, Prayer and Fasting and Tithes and Gifts.
My God sacrificed His son Jesus, for me! Surely, the first thing I can do for Him is to offer back the sacrifices He desires of me. Is that too much to ask?
In theory we would probably agree, but the practice of our lives often tends to fall short of our good intentions!
I trust that this study will encourage you, as it has me, to give back to God what He desires of each one of us.
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WAXING LYRICAL
One of my favourites. It’s self explanatory.TO BEARD OR NOT TO BEARD?
To beard or not to beard?
That’s the hairy question.
For thirty years I’ve always feared.
This subject - never to mention.
For you see my friend, I am not hirsute,
To grow me a beard, too great a pursuit.
Until the Christmas of ninety- nine, you know,
When I plucked up the courage to give it a go.
Why not, I said to myself, with great bravado,
Willing to be squelched - an over ripe tomato.
If I don’t give it a try, I’ll never know,
Whether or not my beard will grow.
What a terrible fate it would be for me,
To go to the grave, not knowing if thee,
Would grow to be little more than a fuzz,
Or rather, long and strong - what a buzz!
Give it a go David, yes, that’s what I must do,
Too bad when people think I belong in a zoo.
I will break the mould, live a new life,
Then get in strife, for upsetting the wife!
Each day I look at the mirror, what do I see?
Are my hairs really growing, or is it just me?
Maybe I should count them, one, two, threeee….
One thousand, two hundred and nine – yipeeee!
Gently stroking my prickly stubble, do I detect a problem?
For there’s a bald spot here - smooth as a baby’s bottom!
Right in the middle of where my beard should be!
O Lord, please help me, please give me the key!
The Lord said calmly from way up on high,
"No trouble David, to your stylist in the sky.
The designer beard I have in mind for you,
Is just the thing, will surely see you through."
(Concluded next week)
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A DAVID MUSING
This week we have signed up for a fifth new shop, in Palmerston North, where my wife Kathy comes from. In fact, her mother still lives in the same house she moved into when Kathy was a young baby! I cannot say how long ago that was!Over the weekend we have been down there and cleaned out the beautiful old 2 level premises we have rented there (Photo). And employed a manager for the shop.
One would almost think God's hand was in this! It all went so well! We know it is!
It is at rosy times like this that it is so easy to take credit for success personally, rather than to thank God for His goodness.
Thank you Lord.
As the Laodiceans experienced, good times can take us further from God than hard times as we so easily take the credit for our success. The Western disease!
PS: QUESTION: What do you call an Australian cricketer at the 20/20 World Cricket Cup?
ANSWER: A spectator!
Until next week...
MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD.
His servant and yours
David Tait
Today's 'Word Puzzle' Answer: GRINS
TODAY'S 'BIBLE QUESTION' ANSWER: 7) A - First (Ex 7: 17)
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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!
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david@wwj.org.nz