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: 423 Published: 30 Nov 2009
MUSINGS ON THE KINGDOM - PAST, FUTURE AND PRESENT
KINGDOM PRESENTLast week we came to the conclusion, "What Jesus did for us 'positionally' on the cross can be attained 'experientially' through the sacrifice of our lives to Him. Yes, we can have the victory over satan today through kingdom living."
The reality of coming to maturity in Jesus is to out work the kingdom through our lives.
We then move from the 'kingdom within' to the 'kingdom without', that is the kingdom of God being established upon the earth through 'kingdom living' of fully mature 'sons' taking on the image of Christ in our (his and her) lives.
13 For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, 14 because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. (Romans 8:13-14)
Jesus was made perfect through suffering on the cross and we too are to be made perfect through suffering. Not very popular verses, these ones!
10 In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering. 11 Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers. (Hebrews 2:10-11)
As we are made holy, so the kingdom is outworked through us. In the past, we have not accepted that this is possible, but as we approach closer to the ultimate return of Jesus, the revelation of the power of kingdom living is becoming understood and applied by increasingly more people around the whole world.
There is an increasing understanding that His kingdom now will come through His people.
John the Baptist understood this.
In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Desert of Judea 2 and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.†(Matthew 3:1-2)
Jesus got His disciples to pray for it;
10 your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. (Matthew 6:10)
Jesus will not return until 'the church' (of believers, not an organisation) has become righteous.
For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. 8 Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.†(Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.) (Revelation 19:7-8)
Righteousness, holiness, overcoming, are for the present day. As you can see from the above Scripture, Jesus is not returning for a brow beaten people whose greatest hope is that they will be raptured in order to avoid the pain of God's judgment upon the earth! Rather, He is returning for a kingdom living, victorious church which has been through the pain and suffering required to move towards perfection. A people who are prepared to judge themselves now and change their lives in order to avoid future judgment.
31 But if we judged ourselves, we would not come under judgment. 32 When we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world. (1 Corinthians 11:31-2)
In the letters to the 7 churches in Revelation, there are 7 promises of increasing reward made to the successive churches. The final and greatest promise, made to the wealthy, lukewarm church of Laodicea, widely perceived to be a 'type' of today's church, was a promise of victory to those who were prepared to change their ways!
21 To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne. (Revelation 3:21)
Check out the full teaching at REVELATION’S REVELATION
Such a promise could only be made to those who have outworked the kingdom in their lives, participating in seeing God's kingdom established upon the earth - now.
Is this you? Is this me?
(Continued next week)
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FROM THE WORD
Life Through the Spirit"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man, in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit. Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you. Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation—but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.†The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory." (Romans 8:1-17)
Jesus Made Like His Brothers
"It is not to angels that he has subjected the world to come, about which we are speaking. But there is a place where someone has testified: “What is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? 7 You made him a little lower than the angels; you crowned him with glory and honor and put everything under his feet.†In putting everything under him, God left nothing that is not subject to him. Yet at present we do not see everything subject to him. But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering. Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers. He says, “I will declare your name to my brothers; in the presence of the congregation I will sing your praises.†And again, “I will put my trust in him.†And again he says, “Here am I, and the children God has given me.†Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants. For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted." (Hebrews 2:5-18)
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DAVID'S DOODLINGS
REVELATION AND RELIGION890. Many say, 'give me religion', but few, 'give me revelation'.
891. Religion fosters pride, while revelation comes from a broken heart.
892. Religion promotes people, revelation, servanthood.
893. Religion builds. Revelation breaks down, then builds.
894. Religion breeds status, revelation, servants.
895. In religion, roles are nouns, in revelation, adjectives.
896. In religion, roles are expressed by Title, in revelation, identified through action.
897. Revelation changes hearts, religion tickles the mind.
898. An ounce of revelation is more precious than a tonne of religion.
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
13 Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be
self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace
to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.
14 As obedient children, do not conform to the
evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance.
15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be
holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: “Be
holy, because I am holy.†(1 Peter 1:13-15)
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TUESDAY TEACHINGS
THIS WEEK: RELATIONSHIP V THEOLOGY - THE POWER OF THE CALLWe continue our look at leadership from the perspective of the people.
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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." ***
126. TAKE A BREAK
A clergyman, walking down a country lane, sees a young farmer struggling to load hay back onto a cart after it had fallen off.
"You look hot, my son," said the cleric. "Why don't you rest a moment, and I'll give you a hand."
"No thanks," said the young man. "My father wouldn't like it."
"Don't be silly," the minister said. "Everyone is entitled to a break. Come and have a drink of water."
Again the young man protested that his father would be upset. Losing his patience, the clergyman said, "Your father must be a real slave driver. Tell me where I can find him and I'll give him a piece of my mind!"
"Well," replied the young farmer, "he's under the load of hay."
125. A LETTER TO GOD
Dear Lord,
So for today, God; I've done all right. I haven't gossiped, haven't lost my temper, haven't been greedy, grumpy, nasty, selfish, or even indulgent.
I'm very thankful for that - But in a very short time, God, I'm going to get out of bed, and from that moment on I'm going to need a lot of help!
Amen
124. CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU
There once was a rich man who was near death. He was very grieved because he had worked so hard for his money and he wanted to be able to take it with him to heaven. So he began to pray that he might be able to take some of his wealth with him.
An angel hears his plea and appears to him. "Sorry, but you can't take your wealth with you." The man implores the angel to speak to God to see if He might bend the rules.
The man continues to pray that his wealth could follow him. The angel reappears and informs the man that God has decided to allow him to take one suitcase with him. Overjoyed, the man gathers his largest suitcase and fills it with pure gold bars and places it beside his bed.
Soon afterward the man dies and shows up at the Gates of Heaven to greet St. Peter. St. Peter seeing the suitcase says, "Hold on, you can't bring that in here!"
But the man explains to St. Peter that he has permission and asks him to verify his story with the Lord. Sure enough, St. Peter checks and comes back saying, "You're right. You
are allowed one carry-on bag, but I'm supposed to check its contents before letting it through."
St. Peter opens the suitcase to inspect the worldly items that the man found too precious to leave behind and exclaims, "You brought pavement?!!!"
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: How does a frog cope with freezingtemperatures?
ANSWER: Frogs have several strategies for surviving winter, depending
on the species. Some hibernate, slowing down their body's metabolism
and ‘sleeping’ away the winter. Some aquatic hibernating frogs can even
hibernate underwater! Terrestrial frogs usually hibernate on land. To
avoid freezing to death, frogs have another trick: antifreeze. The frog may
become frozen, but it doesn't die. It appears dead, but the high levels of
glucose in its vital organs prevent complete freezing. It will stop breathing
and its heart will even stop beating, but when temperatures rise, its
organs will start up again. (Now why can’t I do that?)
THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: How long can honey be stored and still safely
eaten?
Answer Next Week.
SOME FUN FACTS298. DREAMS IN THE SKY
A beautiful mirage called the Fata Morgana appears in the Straits of Messina, between Sicily and Italy. It is an image of a town in the sky, but seems more like a fairy landscape than a real town. It is most likely to be a mirage of a fishing village situated along the coast. (Like catching fish. Now you see it, now you don’t!)
299. GILBERT
The most intense hurricane to hit the Caribbean was Hurricane Gilbert in 1988. Wind gusts were measured at over 200 miles per hour (320kmh). (All cyclones used to be named after women. Feminists blew up a storm to get this changed. Wonder why? I know, I know…)
300. ON THE RUN
The simple act of walking requires the use of 200 muscles in the human body. Around 40 will lift your leg and move it forward. (Taking your muscles for a walk.)
A WORD PUZZLE FOR YOU
Make another word from this word using all the letters.
NIGGLED
Answer at the end of A David Musing
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BIBLE QUESTION - PROVERBS
11) A righteous man cares for the needs of his animal:A - but the companion of fools will suffer harm.
B - but a poor man has no means of redemption.
C - but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.
D - but the desire of the treacherous is for money.
Source: www.biblequizzes.com
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IF ONLY I'D THOUGHT OF IT!
"""OTHER'S SAYINGS TO ENLIGHTEN, AMUSE, OR BEMUSE"""'A PENNY FOR YOUR THOUGHTS!'
!!!!!!! Since light travels faster than sound, isn't that why some folks appear bright until you hear them speak.
!!!!!! Corduroy pillows are still leaving headlines.
!!!!! Every take-off is optional; every landing is mandatory.
!!!! You cannot get ahead, if you're too busy getting even.
!!! Love looks through a telescope; envy through a microscope.
!! A wishbone should not be where the backbone belongs.
! A magician might pull rabbits out of hats. But Jesus can pull habits out of rats.
100'S MORE TO BE FOUND AT...
PETS RULE!
64. RIGHTLY MAD!"Hello, Animal Control?" the excited spinster said into the phone. "I need some officers here right away. There are 30 dogs on my front lawn."
"I see." said the dispatcher. "Can you tell if any of them are mad?"
"Well," she said "28 of them are. The other two are busy eating the postman and they won't share.."
65. A TALKING DOG?
A guy walks into a talent agency with a dog, and says "I've got a great act...my dog can actually talk."
"Surrrre he can," replies the talent agent, "prove it."
So the fellow asks the dog, "What is on top of a building?" "Roof, roof!" the dog replies.
"What does sandpaper feel like?" "Rough, rough!" the dog replies.
The talent agent starts to get impatient as the man asks his dog, "Who was the greatest baseball player of all time?" "Ruth, Ruth!" says the dog.
Instantly the talent agent throws open the door, and kicks the pair out of his office.
After a few seconds, the dog looks up at his master and says, "Should I have said DiMaggio?"
66. YOU GOTTA HELP ME!
There once was a lady who was very concerned about her missing parrot. Not knowing what to do, she called 911. "You gotta help me find my parrot!"
The operator patiently replied, "We can't help you with that, ma'am. This number only deals with emergencies." But the lady persisted, and then the operator told her not to be concerned, that the parrot should fly back in a few days. Then, out of desperation, the lady begged, "But you don't understand! The only thing he says is "Here, kitty, kitty!!!"
67. SHOWING HOW
There's a man trying to cross the street. As he steps off the curb a car comes screaming around the corner and heads straight for him. The man walks faster, trying to hurry across the street, but the car changes lanes and is still coming at him.
So the guy turns around to go back, but the car changes lanes again and is still coming at him. By now, the car is so close and the man so scared that he just freezes and stops in the middle of the road.
The car gets real close, then swerves at the last possible moment and screeches to a halt right next him. The driver rolls down the window. The driver is a squirrel.
The squirrel says to the man says, "See, it's not as easy as it looks, is it?"
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BIBLE TRIVIA (Weights and Measures)
WEIGHTSThe 'talent' was the largest unit of weight. Each talent was worth 3,000 shekels, weighing about 75lbs. (34kg) Minahs were 50-60 shekels, depending upon whether the system was Israelite or Babylonian. A minah weighed roughly 1.25lb. (approx 500gm)
Adapted from: '1001 Surprising Things You Should Know About The Bible' MacGregor & Prys
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Humanists Use Photos of Kids from Christian Family to Symbolize Life Without Faith
Inspire MagazineLONDON, UK - The British Humanist Association has used children of evangelical Christians in a photograph promoting atheist choice, according to Premier Christian Radio.
The poster which can be seen on billboards across the UK shows two youngsters with the slogan 'Don't Label Me' – a message that children should be free to make their own decision about religion.
Gerald Coates, the leader of the Pioneer network of churches, knows the parents of the children. He told Premier that the campaign had backfired: "The ad features two kids who're like senior junior school kids – a boy and a girl. They're happy and they're jumping up and down and obviously epitomising this freedom and happiness of not being brought up with any faith or doctrinal framework in which to live.
"What Richard Dawkins doesn't know is that these are the children of two very committed evangelical Christians who have been known to me for the last 20 years or more. They've (sic: The Humanist Society) just got stock photographs. Here they are promoting atheism and the two children have been brought up in a Christian family!
"Someone has gone through all sorts of pictures looking for kids that are good looking, happy and free of religion and free from Christianity and free of faith schools. And what they don't know is that these two children have been brought up in a very loving family of totally committed Christians.
"They've been brought up in the Pioneer Network which I founded 20 or 30 years ago. And they're a fantastic family and the father contacted me on Facebook just this morning to tell me 'I thought you'd like to know the two kids on the Richard Dawkins campaign are my own two kids who've been brought up in a Christian family'."
Pepper Harow, Campaigns Officer (Local and Activism) for the British Humanist Association told Premier Christian Radio: "The message of the posters is that the labelling of children by their parents' religion is not respectful of the rights of the child – we are not suggesting that children would be happier brought up in a humanist environment.
"We are saying that religions and philosophies (and 'Humanist' is one of the labels we use on our poster) should not be foisted on or assumed of young children, and that young people have the right to choose for themselves in line with their developing capacities as they grow.
"The images of the children for the billboards were sourced from istockphoto.com, a well known stock photography website. Images are uploaded by photographers for sale to designers and are paid for by credits that are purchased in advance.
"The photographer receives a portion of this sum as a one-off payment per download. In order to submit an image of a child, the parents of the child must sign a release form on their behalf that states that the image may be used by the purchaser for any reasonable purpose within the terms and conditions that are available on the website.
"Naturally, no biographical information about the pictured individual is available and there is no obligation for the purchaser to inform the photographer about how the image will be used."
Source: InspireMagazine.org.uk
Edited by News Editor on 11/23/2009 at 3:48pm
Via Openheaven.com
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DAVID'S DOWNLOAD
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF ...A unique look at what may have been like to visit the Tabernacle of of Moses.
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WAXING LYRICAL
The ravages of time inflict themselves upon us all!BODY ‘Not So’ BEAUTIFUL?
Adam and Eve, naked, did roam about,
Fine clothes, jewellery, they were without,
Forever and ever they were going to live,
Nary a thought of dressing, did they give.
Created by God, with ‘bodies beautiful,’
So perfect in form - we can only drool,
The ravages of age had no effect you see,
Their bodies designed to last - for eternity.
Yet one sad day, in the course of time,
Their thoughts with God failed to rhyme.
For they ate forbidden fruit from the tree,
Which greatly affected their longevity.
Now they knew they were naked, they were ashamed,
Because their God, they had disgracefully defamed.
But to show that God loved them still,
He gave them clothes, even sent no bill.
But the putting on of clothes, had another side,
As the affects of ageing, they did wish to hide.
Cause eternal youth had passed them by,
Now to grow old, get sick, then to die.
When we’re young, we know we’ll never die!
For our ‘body beautiful,’ it does all we try,
We run and we dance, we jump and we swim,
Yes, then it is easy, to keep the body in trim.
But the time it does pass, as the fruit takes effect,
The results of our exertion, we can no longer neglect.
The things we once did with energy, grace and poise,
Now executed with effort, and a loud puffing noise!
Oh dear, oh dear, what is becoming of me,
The kids do laugh, for they cannot yet see,
That one day too, it will happen to them,
Will be like me, coughing up phlegm.
For no one escapes the taste of a fruit so sweet,
However much, life’s ravages we desire to beat.
The fruit brought the concept of time,
But so little of it, now that’s a crime.
(Concluded next week.)
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A DAVID MUSING
At last I am able to bring you a photo of our clothing being made available for sale at the wholesale clothing market in Accra, Ghana! The mixed clothing we sent in large 200kg bales has been sorted into types and qualities (eg. Womens skirts, 2nd grade), and pressed into approximately 60kg bales ready for sale to street vendors.It is hugely satisfying for me to see the pictures. Other than having to work out the way to convert them into a format suitable for this ezine, that is! More of a technical challenge than sending the clothes!
When God gives us vision and direction, it often takes considerable time - and lots of effort - to see them come to fruition.
Maybe you have become frustrated because your vision has not yet been fulfilled. Be patient. For if it is of Him and you are obedient to His will, it will happen - in His time. Which, as I have found out in life, is longer than I would like it to be!
But it does happen!
Until next week.......
MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD.
His servant and yours
David Tait
Today's 'Word Puzzle' Answer: GELDING
TODAY'S 'BIBLE QUESTION' ANSWER: C - but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel. (Proverbs 12:10)
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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