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: 408 Published: 17 Aug 2009
SERMON ON THE MOUNT - THE KINGDOM WAY
12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. (Matthew 7:12)EXPOSITION: Our Lord Jesus here presses upon us that righteousness towards men which is an essential branch of true religion, and that religion towards God which is an essential branch of universal righteousness. I. We must make righteousness our rule, and be ruled by it......Fitly is the law of justice subjoined to the law of prayer, for unless we be honest in our conversation, God will not hear our prayers, Isa. 1:15–17; 58:6, 9; Zec. 7:9, 13. We cannot expect to receive good things from God, if we do not fair things, and that which is honest, and lovely, and of good report among men. Henry, Matthew, Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Bible, (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers) 1997.
TESTIMONY: I quoted the above directly from Matthew Henry in case you thought that which follows is just 'David'!
The simple, if harsh, reality is that we cannot expect answers to our prayers when we are not leading godly lives ourselves. It is no accident that Jesus incorporated the 'universal commandment' with His statement on prayer.
As I have learned and experienced more of God I have come to understand that everything of God is conditional. God makes us a promise. Then we need to live it out in some way. But how about salvation, David? Surely salvation is free? Yes it is! But to live, to work out, our salvation, costs us our life! If our life doesn't change when we come to Jesus, our conversion is not a true one. For Jesus is to be not only Saviour but also Lord. One goes with the other. Of course Lordship takes time, a lifetime in fact, to develop. As butter is to bread, making it palatable, so the Lordship of Jesus in our life displays our salvation to the world.
This is not a well promoted truth amongst Christians. We prefer to say come to Jesus for His blessings, without talking about the accompanying sacrifice of ourselves that is also required.
The same principle applies to prayer. If we expect Jesus to answer our prayers, we need to live a godly life to the full extent of our understanding of godliness at the time. None of us is perfect - certainly not me. Yet we are to grow in godliness from glory to glory as Jesus reveals more of Himself to us throughout a lifetime of growing spiritual maturity. A new, 'baby' Christian is not expected to be a spiritual 'adult'. But we are expected to grow up to spiritual maturity. I have been saved, am being saved, and will be saved, as I give up more and more of myself to the Lord.
11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12 Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. 13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. (1 Corinthians 13:11-13)
I don't want this word to sound harsh. My desire, both for you and for me, is to see Him face to face. My heart cries out for His people to know Him more. I believe that this is the heart of Jesus also.
As we reach out to know Him more, so we can expect Him to act upon our petitions and prayers, for they will be of His heart, not our own. Selah.
(To be continued next week.)
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FROM THE WORD
The Glory of the New Covenant"Now if the ministry that brought death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with glory, so that the Israelites could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of its glory, fading though it was, will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious? If the ministry that condemns men is glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness! For what was glorious has no glory now in comparison with the surpassing glory. And if what was fading away came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which lasts! Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold. We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to keep the Israelites from gazing at it while the radiance was fading away. But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." (1 Corinthians 3:7-18)
"Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a man is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them. For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: “Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.â€
15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. (Ephesians 5:1-21)
Future Glory
"I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will." (Romans 8:18-27)
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DAVID'S DOODLINGS
HOLINESS1001. Holiness is not found in living to the letter of the Law, but reflected through the living law of our life.
1002. Holiness is an attitude reflected in behaviour.
1003. Holiness comes, as we let the hold on our lives, go.
1004. The 'Law of Holiness' needs to be written in our hearts and applied through our will.
1005. Holiness grows as we walk hand in hand with Jesus.
1006. Every day is to be a 'holy-day'
1007. Holiness is a way of life, not a doctrine.
1008. Holiness grows as my will goes.
1009. To walk on the path of holiness I need Jesus at my side.
1010. Holiness is tough, but hell, deadly!
1011. Life is a game, living holiness the aim.
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
7 But at dawn the next day God provided a worm, which chewed the vine so that it withered. (Jonah 4:7)
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TUESDAY TEACHINGS
THIS WEEK: TRANSFORMATION OF THE CHURCH: 3. FROM KINGS TO KINGDOM continues...The second thing the Lord pointed out, and the more controversial to many leaders, is that we rely too heavily upon our followers' provision for our needs. We will have a look at this next week.
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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!
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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." ***
83. COLLECTION PLATE
A little child in church for the first time watched as the ushers passed the offering plates. When they neared the pew where he sat, the youngster piped-up so that everyone could hear "Don't pay for me Daddy, I'm under five."
82. HEY FELLAS!
Three preachers sat discussing the best positions for prayer while a telephone repairman worked nearby.
"Kneeling is definitely best," claimed one.
"No," another contended. "I get the best results standing with my hands outstretched to Heaven."
"You're both wrong," the third insisted. "The most effective prayer position is lying prostrate, face down on the floor."
The repairman could contain himself no longer. "Hey, fellas, " he interrupted, "the best prayin' I ever did was hangin' upside down from a telephone pole."
81. MISTAKEN IDENTITY
"Recently we got a call from that big white church at 11th and Walnut," the paramedic said. "A frantic usher was very concerned that during the sermon an elderly man passed out in a pew and appeared to be dead. The usher could find no pulse and there was no noticeable breathing."
"What was so unusual and demanding about this particular call?" the interviewer asked.
"Well," the paramedic said, "we carried out four guys before we found the one who was dead."
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 controversy involving Pluto occurred in1999?
ANSWER: In January 1999, misleading reports appeared in the media
that suggested Pluto was about to lose its status as a planet and be
reclassified as a minor planet or even an asteroid. The furore was caused
by a suggestion to include Pluto in a specialised listing of ‘Trans-
Neptunian Objects’, a group of smaller objects that have been discovered
in the outer solar system beyond Neptune's orbit. These objects are
similar to Pluto, though drastically smaller. Astronomers did not intend to
imply that Pluto was not a planet by suggesting its inclusion on the list,
but the assumption that Pluto was being ‘demoted’ caused an uproar
anyway and the International Astronomical Union had to issue a
statement confirming that Pluto remained our ninth planet. (Mickey and
Donald were so pleased not to lose their good friend!)
THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: Where and when was the first underground
train line opened?
Answer Next Week.
SOME FUN FACTS343. BEING PREPARED
The world’s most drought resistant tree is the ‘Baobab Tree’. It can store up to 35,900 gallons (160,000 litres) of water in its trunk for later use. (Water, water nowhere, but I still have plenty to drink.)
344. FROZEN GAS TANK?
Gasoline has no specific freezing point, for it freezes at any temperature between -180 and -240 degrees Fahrenheit. When gasoline freezes, it never totally solidifies, but simply resembles gum or wax. (Whatever the temperature, it is really cold!)
345. COLD TO HOT
It takes as much heat to turn one ounce of snow to water as it does to make an ounce of soup boil at room temperature. (How about frozen soup?)
A WORD PUZZLE FOR YOU
Make another word from this word using all the letters.
SOCRATES
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!
16) In Revelation, this river is dried up to prepare the way for the kings of the East.A - Euphrates
B - Tiber
C - Tigris
D - Nile
Source: www.biblequizzes.com
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IF ONLY I'D THOUGHT OF IT!
"""OTHER'S SAYINGS TO ENLIGHTEN, AMUSE, OR BEMUSE"""GODLY THOUGHTS
!!!!!!! Give God what's right - not what's left.
!!!!!! Man's way leads to a hopeless end - God's way leads to an endless hope.
!!!!! A lot of kneeling will keep you in good standing.
!!!! He who kneels before God can stand before anyone.
!!! Are you wrinkled with burden? Come to the church for a face-lift.
!! When praying, don't give God instructions - just report for duty.
! Don't wait for six strong men to take you to church.
100'S MORE TO BE FOUND AT...
WHY? Some of Life’s Most Puzzling Questions
112. Why do fat chance and slim chance mean the same thing?113. Do you need a silencer if you are going to shoot a mime?
114. Have you ever imagined a world with no hypothetical situations?
115. How does the guy who drives the snowplough get to work in the mornings?
116. If 7-11 is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, why are there locks on the doors?
117. If you're in a vehicle going the speed of light, what happens when you turn on the headlights?
118. Why do they put Braille dots on the keypad of the drive-up ATM?
119. Why isn't "palindrome" spelled the same way backwards?
120. Why is it that when you transport something by car, it's called a shipment, but when you transport something by ship, it's called cargo?
121. You know that little indestructible black box that is used on planes, why can't they make the whole plane out of the same substance?
122. Why is it that when you're driving and looking for an address, you turn down the volume on the radio?
123. If you have your finger touching the rearview mirror that says - "objects in mirror are closer than they appear", how can that be possible?
124. Why is it so hard to remember how to spell MNEMONIC?
125. If someone invented instant water, what would they mix it with?
126. Why is it called a TV "set" when you only get one?
127. Why does your nose run and your feet smell?
128. Why does an alarm clock "go off" when it begins ringing?
129. If pro is the opposite of con, is progress the opposite of congress?
130. Why does "cleave" mean both split apart and stick together?
131. Why is it, whether you sit up or sit down, the result is the same?
132. Why are people who ride motorcycles called bikers and people who ride bikes called cyclists?
133. If you keep trying to prove Murphy's Law, will something keep going wrong?
134. Why does flammable and inflammable mean the same thing?
135. How can someone "draw a blank"?
136. Shouldn't there be a shorter word for "monosyllabic"?
137. Why is the word "abbreviate" so long?
More to ponder here.......
BIBLE TRIVIA (Relationship Between the Shepherd and the Sheep)
PALESTINE ALWAYS KNOWN FOR LARGE FLOCKS OF SHEEPArabs have been largely dependant on sheep for their living throughout time. These large numbers of sheep can be understood when we read that Job had 14,000 sheep (Job 42:12) while King Solomon sacrificed 120,000 sheep and goats at the Temple's dedication. (1 Kings 8:63)
Adapted from: '1001 Surprising Things You Should Know About The Bible' MacGregor & Prys
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Over 138 Thousand South Africans Make Decisions for Christ in 46 Days
by Adrienne Gaines, Charisma OnlineEAST LONDON, SOUTH AFRICA - Evangelist Rodney Howard-Browne says a revival has broken out in his native South Africa that has seen more than 138,000 people make decisions for Christ in the last 46 days.
"In 30 years now of ministry, I've never seen anything like this in my life," said Howard-Browne, founder of Revival Ministries International and pastor of The River Church in Tampa, Florida. "It's not about a meeting and it's not about me; it's about the power of God. It's about Jesus. I'm just here with a message and people are grabbing a hold of it."
The nightly revival meetings held at a sister congregation in East London, South Africa, that is also known as The River Church are being broadcast in churches in 63 cities nationwide, as well as on the Internet and satellite TV through TBN Africa and CTV Africa.
Howard-Browne said since the services began June 21st, they have reached viewers in more than 220 cities, where he says the sick are being healed in hospitals and people are being delivered of demonic oppression.
In each city, participants also have been mobilized to evangelize using a soul-winning script Howard-Browne's ministry developed for its Great Awakening Tour, which has reportedly seen more than 1 million people across the US make decisions for Christ since February 2007.
But Howard-Browne, who became well-known in the 1990s for leading revival services where attendees often laughed uncontrollably, said the "awakening" in South Africa is unlike anything he has ever seen.
"What is happening here is everything that I prayed for in America," Howard-Browne said. "I don't know why God did it here first."
Although he said there have been reports of cancer being healed and tumors miraculously disappearing, he points primarily to testimonies of salvation as signs of revival. He said a witch doctor came to Christ in one city, and a 92 year-old woman caught a passion for evangelism and led seven people to Christ using the Gospel Soul-Winning Script that opens with the question, "Has anyone ever told you God loves you and has a plan for your life?"
In another instance, he said an evangelism team led a man to Christ on a Monday, then learned later that week that he had died the following day.
"The purpose of the meetings ... was people coming back to their first love, falling in love with Jesus all over again, and the upper room experience, the power of Pentecost to go outside the four walls of the church," Howard-Browne said. "That's the way the early church started, and that's the way this end-time church has to function."
With unemployment at 65 percent in the nation's Eastern Cape, which includes East London, and hundreds contracting HIV each day, Howard-Browne said many South Africans are desperate for change. He believes the "fire" will continue even after the meetings end on Sunday, which will mark 50 days of consecutive revival services.
Source: CharismaMag.com
© 2009 Strang Communications
via OpenHeaven.com
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DAVID'S DOWNLOAD
A REVELATION OF... DIVIDING THE WATERSA revelation based upon the 3 times the waters were divided in the Bible (The Red Sea with Moses, The River Jordan with Joshua and The River Jordan again with Elijah and Elisha.) and their meanings for the restoration of God's church in these end times.
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WAXING LYRICAL
Life is a battle when we are walking in God's will for our life, for the enemy doesn't like it. But we must never forget that we have the victory - even though it sometimes may not seem like it!WHEN BAD THINGS ARE GOOD
There is a man, I do know,
Who in God, desires to grow,
When something bad in life, does come along,
He's not now sad, for it makes him strong.
When satan tries to destroy his day,
He can now tell him to go away,
Has learned that, when doing God's will,
Satan will run you, through his mill.
He will accuse you of being blind,
And put evil thoughts in your mind,
A mighty battle now does take place,
Before you go on to win the race.
While satan's antics seem so real,
They're an illusion designed to steal
God's vision and purpose from our life,
Continually forcing us into strife.
The time to worry I have found,
Is when the devil is not around.
For when we proceed on our own way,
He takes time off to go and play.
He'll try his tricks on another one,
As our God, he tries to outgun.
So bad things are good, when we're in God's design.
Defeated satan - you have no power, us to decline!
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A DAVID MUSING
I WILLI will walk with You.
I will talk with You.
I will seek You.
I will speak You.
I will crave You.
I will rave You.
I will submit to You.
I will remit to You.
I will bow to You.
I will vow to You.
I will grace You.
I will pace You.
I will, I will.
I will, I will!
So help me Lord!
Until next week...
MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD.
His servant and yours
David Tait
Today's 'Word Puzzle' Answer: COARSEST
TODAY'S 'BIBLE QUESTION' ANSWER: 16) A - Euphrates (Revelation 16:12)
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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