THE COST OF DISOBEDIENCE - THE REWARD FOR OBEDIENCE

Have you noticed how, when someone else is going through a difficult time, we clearly see their troubles as being the consequence of an area of disobedience in their life. Yet, when we are having our own problems, it is of course, the result of an attack of the devil! How quickly we rationalise our own behaviour, while conveniently, judging others. While we know Scripture warns against this, that old human nature remains a powerful force in our lives.

I like to think that I am obedient to the Lord's wishes for my life. And He has graciously blessed me in many areas over recent times. So, all is well? Well - not really! For several months now, I have confessed to being shut down in my 'creative' area. No poetry, and the 'David's Doodlings' virtually dried up too. Since discovering this creativity potential a couple of years ago, I have not wanted to lose it. My justifications have been, "Of course David, it's the devil shutting you down, because the Lord is using you powerfully in other areas!" Or - "I have not had time - been too busy for God!" Never a thought that I, myself, might be the reason!

You see, for several months, the Lord has been giving me 'songs in the Spirit' to bring in our church. "Is it really you, Lord? It's probably just of me! What if I do it and am out of tune? What will others think of my singing and me? I take enough criticism now! I love singing in the worship group, but singing solo Lord! Lord, I am afraid! I'm too scared to do it! It really doesn't matter Lord, does it?"

Sunday evening last week, the crunch came! We had a 'Praise and Worship' service, and I was in the worship team. There weren't too many people there. Suddenly a song started to come. I knew that it was now or never. It was very nearly never! But I did have a microphone in my hands. And there weren't too many there to hear me make a fool of myself! So, at the last minute, I plucked up the courage and gave it a go! And to my surprise it worked! The voice that came out of my mouth was the Lord's, not my own! I had done it at last! What a relief! What had I been worried about!

Afterwards, I came home to write last week's newsletter. The 'last minute' remains the world's greatest motivator! Another Davids Doodling here! Suddenly, out of my head, flowed the poem, "Faith", that appeared as the 'David Musing'. Then, during the past week, I have been inspired to write in excess of 150 more David's Musings! While this may or may not be a blessing to you, it certainly has been to me. Particularly, as 2 years of David's Doodlings had grown 60% in a week! From a famine to a feast! Thank you Lord. Another lesson learned.

I wonder if you too, may have an area like mine in your life? As I have found, the cost of disobedience is high, while the rewards for obedience to my Father's will are great. But first I had to be prepared to take the risk, to pay the price.

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FROM THE WORD

"Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness?" (Romans 6:16)

" During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek." (Hebrews 5:7-10)

DAVID'S DOODLINGS

### Medicine heals the body, while forgiveness heals the soul.

### Repentance brings peace with God - forgiveness, peace with ones self.

### The simplest way to avoid repentance is not to sin. All too often I forget to follow my own advice!

There are now over 400 David sayings (including 150+ new this week! Nos. 255-407) for you to view at...

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THE FRUIT OF 'AN AFRICAN EXPERIENCE'

Dear Rev David,
It is with joy and great happiness that I write you this few lines. I was very glad to receive your letter. I blessed God that you arrived safely to your family.

I want to say a big thank you for your coming to be a blessing to us. The Lord has been faithful. The impact you made in our lives are beginning to bear fruit. The Church is experiencing a fresh anointing and this is even shown in our number. I just want to bless God. Everyday, we receive testimony of people WHOSE lives were richly blessed personally as a result of your Teachings.

We want to say a big thank you to the church back at home (New Zealand) for releasing you to be a blessing to us. We will continue to lift up the church and even you and family.

We are doing fine and the whole church sends their love to you all. My love to your wife and children.

Thanks

Rev Mrs Gloria Mokungah
(Head Pastor, Oasis of Love Church, Jos, Nigeria)

Thank you Gloria, thank you Lord.

LAUGHING AT OURSELVES

***Blessed are those who can laugh at themselves for they shall never cease to be amused***

Two short ones for the price of one!

FREE ADMISSION
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."

BURNING FAITH
Nearing the parish church during his daily walk, a young man saw that some shubbery was on fire. He banged on the rectory door and told the woman who opened it to call the fire department. She ran to the phone, and he heard her place the call. She identified herself, gave the location, and explained the situation.

"You mean to tell me," said the emergency dispatcher, "that there's a burning bush on the church lawn, and you want to put it out?"

25 (125 in all) new sermon fillers this week at ...

http://www.wwj.org.nz/laugh.php

TAPE (MP3) OF THE WEEK

In association with Inspirational Tapes Ministries
inspirational.org.nz we are pleased to offer you this inspirational tape - absolutely free of charge!

FORGIVENESS

BY: Larry Christenson

Larry Christenson is an ordained Lutheran minister, best selling author, and popular speaker. His books include THE CHRISTIAN FAMILY and RIDE THE RIVER. He and his wife travel extensively, speaking at conferences, in colleges and seminaries, and in congregations. They make their home in Minnesota.

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FACTS FOR FUN

LAST WEEKS QUESTION: What percentage of a watermelon is water?

ANSWER: A watermelon is 92 percent water. Strawberries are approximately 99%!

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: How many sweat glands do we have in our body? The sort of thing you think about before you go to Africa!

Answer Next Week.

***SOME FUN FACTS***
BEEN FIRED?
Clans of long ago that wanted to get rid of their unwanted people without killing them used to burn their houses down - hence the expression "to get fired." (And probably ‘to come to a fiery end.’)

LET THERE BE WAR NO MORE
Monaco’s National Orchestra is bigger than its army. (’Tis music to the ears!)

CHECK IT OUT - LONGHAND
111,111,111 x 111,111,111 = 12,345,678,987,654,321 (What goes up , must come down!)

DANGEROUS OCCUPATIONS
In 1996 more people died on the job working in advertising than in the petroleum refining industry. (A fact that isn’t well advertised!)


A CHALLENGE FOR YOU!

How can you divide seven apples among 12 people such that everyone
will have exactly equal portions? Each apple is not to be cut into more
than 4 pieces.

Answer at the end of ‘A David Musing’

Find 150 fun facts and trivial trivia at ...

http://www.wwj.org.nz/facts.php

IF YOU HAVE TIME YOU MIGHT LIKE TO TAKE A LOOK AT...

"BASIL"
The poem about my friend Basil Spicer that I wrote for his funeral, after he had succumbed to cancer. A man who could inspire in the midst of sickness and pain.

A moving story that can be found at...

http://www.wwj.org.nz/waxing.php?poemId=00020

LIFE'S A LAUGH

***Real life produces the best humour of all!***

BIRTHING A GAME?
I'm an obstetrics nurse at a large city hospital, where our patients are from many different countries and cultures. One day while waiting for a new mother to be transferred to our division, I checked the chart and assumed that, because of her last name, she was of European descent. So when she was finally wheeled in, I was surprised to see that she was Asian.

As I was performing the exam, we chatted, and she told me she was Chinese, and her husband's ethnic heritage was Czechoslovakian. After a short pause, she quipped, "I guess that makes my children Chinese Czechers!"

Much more real life humour to chuckle over is found at...

http://www.wwj.org.nz/lifelaugh.php

A DAVID MUSING

When getting ready to go away, you quickly realise what a great motivator a limited amount of time is! For, in spite of inconvenient exceptions, an aeroplane waits for no man - or woman for that matter! Unless you are travelling by Air Ghana that is, when the planes don't seem to go at all!

Suddenly, almost miraculously, all the things we have put off doing for so long get done! In most cases, in half the time it would otherwise take! The remaining undone jobs are unimportant anyway. This is both amazing and efficient! The tyranny of time working in our favour!

So, next Friday afternoon, Kathy and I will be on the plane, whether ready or not. Quickly we will put aside the memory of things undone and look forward to a whole new experience in the Lord together. Africa, here we come! We know that you will bless us, and pray that the Lord may bless you, through us too.

His servant and yours

David Tait

Today's Challenge Answer: Cut 4 apples into 3 pieces each, and 3 apples into 4 pieces each. Distribute a 1/3 and 1/4 piece to each person.

LINKS

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ABOUT US

WALKING WITH JESUS MINISTRIES is a non-profit, non-denominational, Bible based ministry located in Mount Maunganui, 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 website
wwj.org.nz or by contacting us as follows.

Walking With Jesus Ministries
P O Box 5160
Mount Maunganui
New Zealand

Phone: (07) 575-7164 International (0064) 7575-7164

Fax: (07) 575-7124 International (0064) 7575-7124
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