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: 402 Published: 06 Jul 2009
SERMON ON THE MOUNT - THE KINGDOM WAY
Fasting16 “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. (Matthew 6:9-15)
EXPOSITION: What is fasting? 'It is an act of self-denial, and mortification of the flesh, a holy revenge upon ourselves, and humiliation under the hand of God.' Henry, Matthew, Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Bible, (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers) 1997.
In this passage, Jesus was speaking against hypocrisy in fasting, once again warning about following the practices of the Pharisees, who fasted twice a week.
The practice of fasting was not questioned.
14 Then John’s disciples came and asked him, “How is it that we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?†15 Jesus answered, “How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast. (Matthew 9:14-15)
Fasting was practiced by the early New Testament church.
TESTIMONY: I have dreaded writing this testimony! For regular, twice weekly fasting until 4pm, was part of my life for 7 years until the time when we started our African clothing project. Then I found, with the hard physical labour involved (clothes are heavy in bulk!), that I needed to eat in order to be able to do the work.
However, as I have contemplated this writing during the week the Lord has given me some revelation.
While we primarily think of fasting as abstaining from food, this is only part of the story as we see an example of here;
4 The wife’s body does not belong to her alone but also to her husband. In the same way, the husband’s body does not belong to him alone but also to his wife. 5 Do not deprive each other except by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. (1 Corinthians 7:4-5)
God has shown me that we have 3 primary areas of human gratification - food, sex, and stimulants. Food and sex are obvious, but stimulants to make us feel good, was a surprise to me. But every society has them. The most 'popular' stimulant is alcohol, but there are a variety of drugs from the mind altering such as cocaine and cannabis, to the gentle 'pick-me-up' of tea and coffee. Tea and coffee? Try stopping drinking them and see if you get a headache! Yes, they are stimulants too.
Twelve years ago now, I was praying for a man in our church at the time, who was an alcoholic. He had been prayed for many times. As he stood there I simply said to him, 'You know what you have to do - stop drinking!'
The Lord hit me with a (metaphorical) hammer! It hurt! 'David, I have been telling you to stop drinking for some time, so how dare you say that to him!!!'
I have not had another drink since!
You see, for the couple of years before this, I had had this prompting to stop drinking. I didn't drink to excess. But I enjoyed a wine or a beer. 'Lord, surely it's not really you, just 'Christian culture'!' It wasn't! It was Him! Why? Why me?
But the Lord knew what He was calling me in to. For within a year or so He would have me travelling to Africa and Asia where, had I been a drinker, even in moderation, my ministry would not have been accepted. For, because of the harm alcohol has caused there, one defining characteristic of becoming a true Christian is to give up drinking. A necessary self sacrifice.
Saturday was my birthday. We went out for dinner with some friends to celebrate the (inauspicious at my age!) occasion. Everyone, except me, had a glass of wine or beer with their meal. I would have loved to have joined them!
But, as I sat their musing about it, the Lord showed me that this was indeed my fast for Him. For I have given up something I enjoyed, and which had no control over me, for Him.
Please don't get me wrong. I am not saying that you have to give up drinking for enjoyment. Unless the Lord tells you to as He did me, or unless you choose to. No condemnation from me.
You may be asked to sacrifice yourself, to fast, in another area. We need to be open to the Lord's leading individually.
(To be continued next week.)
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FROM THE WORD
A Call to Repentance"Put on sackcloth, O priests, and mourn; wail, you who minister before the altar. Come, spend the night in sackcloth, you who minister before my God; for the grain offerings and drink offerings are withheld from the house of your God. 14 Declare a holy fast; call a sacred assembly. Summon the elders and all who live in the land to the house of the LORD your God, and cry out to the LORD." (Joel 1:13-14)
The Temptation of Jesus
"Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.†Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’†Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,†he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: 'He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’†Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’†Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. “All this I will give you,†he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.†Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’†Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him." (Matthew 4:1-11)
Barnabas and Saul Sent Off
"In the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.†So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off." (Acts 13:1-3)
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DAVID'S DOODLINGS
OLD AND NEW TESTAMENTS941. Give me the history of the Old Testament to better understand the revelation of the New.
942. The New Testament is the reality of the Old Testament dream. Our task is to be this 'living truth' to the Jews.
943. God's plan begins in the Old and climaxes in the New. We need to understand both Testaments to fully appreciate it.
944. To understand an adult, it is helpful to know of their childhood. The same principle applies to the two Testaments.
945. When quoting from the Old Testament, we need to ensure it hasn't been superseded by the revelation of the New.
946. The measurement of Old Testament success is 'prosperity', in the New, 'sacrifice'. We often get the two confused!
947. The Old Testament signposts the path, the New is the path.
948. Jesus is sealed into the Old Testament, revealed in the New.
949. To better understand a country, you need an appreciation of its history. To better understand the New Testament you need an appreciation of the Old.
950. An illustration of the difference between the Old and New Testaments is that 'The Lamb' of the New had but 2 legs, less hair and a greater vocabulary!
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CRANWELL'S CARTOON
THE BIRTH OF SAMUEL
1 There was a certain man from Ramathaim, a Zuphite from the hill country of Ephraim, whose name was Elkanah son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephraimite. 2 He had two wives; one was called Hannah and the other Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah had none. 3 Year after year this man went up from his town to worship and sacrifice to the LORD Almighty at Shiloh, where Hophni and Phinehas, the two sons of Eli, were priests of the LORD. 4 Whenever the day came for Elkanah to sacrifice, he would give portions of the meat to his wife Peninnah and to all her sons and daughters. 5 But to Hannah he gave a double portion because he loved her, and the LORD had closed her womb. 6 And because the LORD had closed her womb, her rival kept provoking her in order to irritate her. 7 This went on year after year. Whenever Hannah went up to the house of the LORD, her rival provoked her till she wept and would not eat. 8 Elkanah her husband would say to her, “Hannah, why are you weeping? Why don’t you eat? Why are you downhearted? Don’t I mean more to you than ten sons?†9 Once when they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh, Hannah stood up. Now Eli the priest was sitting on a chair by the doorpost of the LORD’s temple. 10 In bitterness of soul Hannah wept much and prayed to the LORD. 11 And she made a vow, saying, “O LORD Almighty, if you will only look upon your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the LORD for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.†12 As she kept on praying to the LORD, Eli observed her mouth. 13 Hannah was praying in her heart, and her lips were moving but her voice was not heard. Eli thought she was drunk 14 and said to her, “How long will you keep on getting drunk? Get rid of your wine.†15 “Not so, my lord,†Hannah replied, “I am a woman who is deeply troubled. I have not been drinking wine or beer; I was pouring out my soul to the LORD. 16 Do not take your servant for a wicked woman; I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief.†17 Eli answered, “Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him.†18 She said, “May your servant find favor in your eyes.†Then she went her way and ate something, and her face was no longer downcast. 19 Early the next morning they arose and worshiped before the LORD and then went back to their home at Ramah. Elkanah lay with Hannah his wife, and the LORD remembered her. 20 So in the course of time Hannah conceived and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, “Because I asked the LORD for him.†(1Samuel 1:1-20)
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TUESDAY TEACHINGS
THIS WEEK: TRANSFORMATION OF THE CHURCH: 3. FROM KINGS TO KINGDOM continues.......as we look at Jesus as a leader.
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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." ***
66. IF ONLY!
A father is in church with three of his young children, including his five year old daughter. As was customary, he sat in the very front row so that the children could properly witness the service.
During this particular service, the minister was performing the baptism of a tiny infant. The little five year old girl was taken by this, observing that he was saying something and pouring water over the infant's head.
With a quizzical look on her face, the little girl turned to her father and asked: "Daddy, why is he brainwashing that baby??"
65. 'NO EXCUSE' SUNDAY
To make it possible for everyone to attend church on Sunday, we are proposing to have a special 'No Excuse Sunday.'
1. Cots will be placed in the foyer for those who say, 'Sunday is my only day to sleep in.'
2. They will have steel helmets for those who say, 'The roof will cave in if I ever came to church.'
3. Blankets will be furnished for those who say it is too cold and fans for those who say it is too hot.
4.There will be hearing aids for those who say, 'The pastor speaks too softly,' and cotton for those who say, 'He preaches too loudly.'
5 Scorecards will be available for those who wish to list the hypocrites present.
6. Some relatives will be in attendance for those who like to go visiting on Sunday.
7. There will be TV dinners for those who can't go to church and cook dinner too.
8. Golf clubs will be available for practice swings for those who like to golf on Sunday.
64.0000
64. Powerful Prayer!
The Wednesday-night church service coincided with the last day of hunting season.
Our pastor asked who had bagged a deer.
No one raised a hand.
Puzzled, the pastor said, "I don't get it. Last Sunday many of you said you were missing because of hunting season. I had the whole congregation pray for your deer."
One hunter groaned, "Well, it worked. They're all safe."
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: In terms of chemical composition, whatsubstance does human blood most closely resemble?
ANSWER: The substance chemically closest to blood is seawater. In fact,
the saline solution which is used in intravenous injections, ‘normal saline’,
is 0.9% salt to water, the same salinity as seawater. It's also the salinity
of amniotic fluid, the liquid that surrounded all of us in utero, before we
were born. Of course, seawater contains lots of other ‘trace minerals’,
which are mostly also present in blood. Yes, human plasma closely
resembles seawater. (So sailors really do have the blood of the sea
coursing through their veins?)
THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: Which Roman emperor succumbed to smallpox?
Answer Next Week.
SOME FUN FACTS361. ANY COLOUR AS LONG AS IT IS BLACK
All gondolas in Venice, Italy, must be painted black, unless they belong to a high official. (So that’s where you got your idea from, Henry Ford! Nothing is new. Particularly privileges for the wealthy!)
362. WHAT'S IN IT?
A-1 steak sauce contains both orange peel and raisins while Worchester Sauce is basically anchovy ketchup. (Just forget this and enjoy them anyway.)
363. REPELLING YET APPEALING
'Dracula' is the most filmed story of all time. (Who ‘count’-ed this?)
A WORD PUZZLE FOR YOU
Make another word from this word using all the letters.
STACKER
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 - WATER WATER EVERYWHERE!
10) Jesus caused a herd of swine to rush into the:A - Sea of Galilee
B - Mediterranean Sea
C - Red Sea
D - Dead Sea
Source: www.biblequizzes.com
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IF ONLY I'D THOUGHT OF IT!
"""OTHER'S SAYINGS TO ENLIGHTEN, AMUSE, OR BEMUSE"""!!!!!!! Work with your hands. It frees the mind.
!!!!!! Take time to wonder. Without wonder, life is merely existence.
!!!!! Sit in the dark. It will teach you to see and hear, taste and smell.
!!!! Once in a while, turn down the lights, the volume, the throttle, the invitations. Less really can be more.
!!! Let go. Nothing is usually the hardest thing to do - but often it is the best.
!! Take a walk-but don't go anywhere. If you walk just to get somewhere, you sacrifice the walking.
! Count your friends. If you have one, you are lucky. If you have more, you are blessed. Bless them in return.
100'S MORE TO BE FOUND AT...
JUST JOKES
195. MR PRESIDENTOne afternoon, the President was sitting in his office when his telephone rang.
"Hello Mr. President," a heavily accented voice says". This is Paddy down in County Cavan, Ireland. I am ringing to inform you that I am officially declaring war on you!"
"Well, Paddy," the President replies, "This indeed is important news! Tell me, how
big is your army?"
"At this moment in time," says Paddy after a moments calculation, "There is myself, my cousin Sean, my next door neighbour Gerry and the entire dominoes team from the pub. That makes 8!"
The President sighs and says, "I must tell you Paddy that I have 1 million men in my army waiting to move on my word"
"OK," says Paddy. "I'll have to ring you back!"
Sure enough, the next day Paddy calls back. "Right Mr. President, the war is still on! We have managed to acquire some equipment!"
"What equipment would that be, Paddy?" the President asks.
"Well, we have 2 combine harvesters, a bulldozer and Murphy's tractor from the farm"
Once more the President sighs and says, "I must tell you Paddy that I have 50,000
tanks, 2000 mine layers, 10,000 armoured cars and my army has increased to 1 and a half million since we last spoke"
"I'll be dogged!" says Paddy. "I'll have to ring you back!"
Sure enough, Paddy calls again the next day. "Right Mr President, the war is still on! We have managed to get ourselves airborne! We've gotten out old Ted's cropsrayer with a couple of rifles in the cockpit and the bridge team has joined us as well!"
Once more the President sighs and says "I must tell you Paddy that I have 4000 bombers and 8000 high manouverability attack planes and my military installations are surrounded by laser guided surface to air missiles and since we last spoke, my army has increased to 2 million."
"Oh cripes," says Paddy. "I'll have to ring you back"
Sure enough, Paddy calls again the next day. "Right Mr. President, I am sorry to tell you that we have had to call off the war"
"I'm very sorry to hear that," says the President. "Why the sudden change of heart?"
"Well," says Paddy, "We've all had a chat and t'be sure, there's no way we can cope with 2 million prisoners"
194. THE TRAINS
A Texan is bragging to a Rhode Islander. "In Texas," he drawls, "you can get on a train, ride all day long, and still be in Texas by nightfall."
"Yeah", replies the Yankee, "We have slow trains in Rhode Island too."
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BIBLE TRIVIA
THE SHEMA....... is the central confession of the Jewish faith. "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one." Originally found in Deuteronomy 6:4, Jesus quoted it, saying in the verse that followed, "love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength", is the greatest commandment.
Adapted from: '1001 Surprising Things You Should Know About The Bible' MacGregor & Prys
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Thousands of Christians Share Gospel in Mexico
Some 6,000 young Christians recently invaded the streets and parks of Oaxaca, Mexico, to pray and share the gospel with its people.They shared their faith one-on-one and prayed for the sick, and also spent time praying for the city.
"We don't have a choice. This is the time," said Pastor Iglesia Filadelfia. "Either the church awakes and rises up and we bring the kingdom of God to this nation, or the church keeps sleeping and gets further behind and evil grows and multiplies."
Training youth to share their faith was a goal of the Youth Explosion Congress held in Oaxaca.
The congress also included teaching sessions and worship celebrations in the afternoons and evenings.
By sending the youth out to the city every morning, congress organizers hoped young believers would develop personal evangelism skills, needed to assure that the church in Mexico continues to grow.
They are also planning to repeat the Youth Explosion experience in other parts of the country.
Source: CWN Christian World News
and via OpenHeaven.com
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DAVID'S DOWNLOAD
A REVELATION OF…….THE SEVEN REVELATIONS OF THE LAMBIt would be normal to think of a victorious God as a lion. But Jesus came as a lamb, the Lamb of God
The incredible story of how the Lamb of God is foreshadowed 4 times in the Old Testament, comes as the Lamb in the New, sets our example and will return to claim His kingdom.
Both a faith builder and a call to inherit the kingdom now.
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WAXING LYRICAL
It's funny how subjective time can be!LIFE!
Life is short
When watching sport......
But life is so very eternally long,
When the preacher misses the gong.......
Yet, if you time them both on your watch,
The sermon will be shorter than the match!
Funny that!
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A DAVID MUSING
When people you trust let you down, it's not pleasant, is it?We have had a case of stealing this week from our shop about which we have call in the Police. It was something I didn't want to do, but after giving the person amongst the group of people implicated the chance to return the goods, no questions asked, I had little option. Now a number of people are under suspicion, sadly caused by the actions of one individual.
Yes, we all get taken advantage of in life. It is a part of life. From which the root of bitterness so easily grows.
Of course God knows who did it. But He hasn't told me! However I cannot let it affect me personally or I too, may become bitter and twisted. As I have seen in others, the result is not worth it!
Jesus knew. He told us forgiveness is the answer. May I, may we, listen to and act upon His wisdom.
Until next week...
MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD.
His servant and yours
David Tait
Today's 'Word Puzzle' Answer: RACKETS
TODAY'S 'BIBLE QUESTION' ANSWER: 10) A - Sea of Galilee (Luke 8:26-33)
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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