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: 432 Published: 01 Feb 2010
***NEW*** EDITORIAL NOW AVAILABLE AS A BLOG
Would you like to express your thoughts and comments on the weekly editorial?You are now welcome to do so on our new blog which is found at...
MUSINGS ON THE KINGDOM - PAST, FUTURE AND PRESENT
KINGDOM PRESENT - THE KINGDOM PARABLESAN INTRODUCTION continued
Before we get into the individual parables next week I thought I should share a little about my life in regard to the 'love of riches'. If you have heard this from me before, please forgive me.
By nature and inheritance I am a businessman. And how do you measure success in business? By profit - or loss. That is - money. Although I am bit different to most, for I like the challenge of doing something different, in the end, success or failure is judged in monetary terms.
To briefly sum up my business life I have
1. Been very successful in business, then failed - without knowing Jesus.
2. Came to know Jesus personally through the desperation of bankruptcy.
3. Was again successful in business before going bankrupt once more!
4. Got to know Jesus much better through this bankruptcy.
5. Started Seekers, as a charitable trust, without personal payment, for the benefit of others.
Maybe, hopefully, I have learned my lessons this time!
While there are a few businessmen Jesus followers who have managed to avoid getting caught up in the 'love of money', continuing to live on a small amount while giving the rest away, most want a bigger house and a better car, even though they may still give lots away too.
We can be 'double tithers' (churches love us!), give to the poor, promote Gods Word, do all the right things, but let go of our intimate relationship with Jesus through our busYness and good works.
No, I am not talking of an alternative 'poverty mentality' as being the way to go, but certainly one where our reliance is upon Jesus rather than our 'Super (or not so super in recent times!) Fund'.
Now Kathy and I live on her wages in a rented house, owning only personal items. It is challenging at times, and people question us on what we will do in our retirement. Most don't understand the only answer possible. Do you?
Last week I mentioned the 70 who were sent out with nothing. Interestingly, I did a trip to Africa in that way, although my airfares had been paid. I had 50c a day to live on for 2 months. After 10 days my $30 was down to $2 with 50 days to go! Then the Lord started bringing the money in. I left Africa with no money but having been provided for throughout my trip also. Everyone was surprised - the Africans and me!
In whom, or what, do we put our trust?
(Continued next week)
Find out more about us at...
FROM THE WORD
The Beatitudes"Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." (Matthew 5:1-12)
The Rich Ruler
"A certain ruler asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?†“Why do you call me good?†Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother.’†“All these I have kept since I was a boy,†he said. When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.†When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was a man of great wealth. Jesus looked at him and said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.†Those who heard this asked, “Who then can be saved?†Jesus replied, “What is impossible with men is possible with God.†Peter said to him, “We have left all we had to follow you!†“I tell you the truth,†Jesus said to them, “no one who has left home or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God will fail to receive many times as much in this age and, in the age to come, eternal life.â€" (Luke 18:18-30)
The Rich Man and Lazarus
"“There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. “The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’ “But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’ “He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my father’s house, for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’ “Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’ â€â€˜No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ “He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’â€
(Luke 16:19-31)
Read the Bible (NIV Version) online at...
***DAILY EZINE!*** 'DAVID'S DAILY DOODLINGS' Subscribe Today
Receive one of David's sayings in your mailbox each day to inspire, challenge or maybe, amuse.To register today, simply click here ddd-on@wwj.org.nz
and press send. Then it's done!
If you have an Irish heritage, you will love the background coloring!
Should you wish, check out current and back issues (where you can also subscribe) at...
DAVID'S DOODLINGS
HUMILITY AND PRIDE1311. Godly humility only comes at a price - the price of brokenness.
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
15 The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden towork it and take care of it. 16 And the LORD God commanded the
man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; 17 but
you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil,
for when you eat of it you will surely die.â€
18 The LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone.
I will make a helper suitable for him.â€
19 Now the LORD God had formed out of the ground all the beasts
of the field and all the birds of the air. He brought them to
the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man
called each living creature, that was its name. 20 So the man
gave names to all the livestock, the birds of the air and all
the beasts of the field. (Genesis 2:15-20)
TO READ THIS CARTOON AND SEE THE OTHER
PICTURES IN THIS EMAIL YOU NEED TO BE ONLINE.
Check it out at...
TUESDAY TEACHINGS
THIS WEEK: SERMON ON THE MOUNT - THE KINGDOM WAY continues.......... with the final blessing - the 'blessing' of persecution.
Check out all the available teachings at...
*** ANOTHER DAILY EZINE FROM WWJ!*** 'LAUGHING AT OURSELVES' Subscribe Today
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!
Should you wish, check out early issues (where you can also subscribe) at...
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." ***
148. MORE TRUTH
A woman invited some people over for dinner. At the table she turned to her six-year-old daughter and said, "Would you like to say the blessing?" The girl replied, "I wouldn't know what to say." "Just say what you heard Mommy say," the mother answered. The daughter bowed her head and said, "Lord, why on earth did I invite all these people to dinner?
147. THE TRUTH OF IT
After the church service a little boy told the pastor, "When I grow up, I'm going to give you some money. "Well, thank you," the pastor replied. "But why?" "Because," the boy responded, "my daddy says you're one of the poorest preachers we've ever had."
146. GRAVITY RULES
A woman was at the beach with her children when her four-year-old son ran up to me, grabbed my hand and led me to the shore where a sea gull lay dead in the sand. "Mommy, what happened to him?" my son asked. "He died and went to heaven," I replied. My son thought a moment and then said, "And God threw him back down?"
FREE DOWNLOAD: You can now download the book 'Laughing At Ourselves' in PDF format at LAUGHING AT OURSELVES
One of the most comprehensive sources of Christian Humour on the Net with 769 sermon fillers for your entertainment and use at ...
FACTS FOR FUN
LAST WEEKS QUESTION: How do black and white stripes camouflagezebras?
ANSWER: It doesn't seem to make sense. For there isn't any black and
white shrubbery in Africa for zebras to hide in! So how does being striped
help them to avoid being someone else's dinner? The answer is in what
scientists call ‘disruptive coloration’. The alternating stripes break up and
obscure the outline of the zebra, making it difficult for predators to focus
on the animal, particularly when many zebras are running together at
once. Instead of a solid shape, the predator sees a jumble of apparently
unrelated forms. Some experts think the stripes may serve another
purpose - avoiding the tsetse fly. These biting flies prefer to snack on
large, dark, moving animals. The zebra's stripes may well make it difficult
for the biting bugs to find a single dark region to alight upon. (What about
the ‘Stars and Stripes’?)
THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: : What is an egg tooth?
Answer Next Week.
SOME FUN FACTS271. SOME THINGS CHANGE
When Spain declared war on the U.S. in 1898, the U.S. in turn declared war on Spain but backdated the declaration by three days, so it would look more heroic to have declared war first. (Heroism is in the eye of the beholder.)
272. DON'T DROWN EASILY
An ant can survive for up to two weeks underwater. (Ants ‘up the ant-e’ underwater.)
273. LET THERE BE LIGHT
An area of the Sun's surface the size of a postage stamp shines with the power of 1,500,000 candles. (The Son is the light of our lives!)
A WORD PUZZLE FOR YOU
Make another word from this word using all the letters.
HARKEN
Answer at the end of A David Musing
FREE DOWNLOAD: You can download the full version of our Trivia Book at TRULY TRIFFLING TRIVIA
Or view all 1232 online at...
BIBLE QUESTION - PROVERBS
20) Do not wear yourself out to:A - find wisdom.
B - get rich.
C - seek a friend.
D - convince the ruler.
Source: www.biblequizzes.com
Heaps more fun and serious 'God Facts' are found at...
IF ONLY I'D THOUGHT OF IT!
"""OTHER'S SAYINGS TO ENLIGHTEN, AMUSE, OR BEMUSE"""SAYINGS FOR YOU TO PONDER
!!!!!!! To be the picture of health, be in a good frame of mind.
!!!!!! We have two ears and only one tongue, in order that we may hear more and speak less.
!!!!! Give yourself to God ~ He can do more with you than you can.
!!!! Beware of an half-truth ~ you may get hold of the wrong half.
!!! Today's mighty oak is just yesterday's nut that held its ground.
!! If God is your Father, please call home.
! If you can't be a Christian where you are, you can't be one anywhere.
100'S MORE TO BE FOUND AT...
GREAT GROANERS
135. DOPY DEFINITIONSArbitrator \ar'-bi-tray-ter\: A cook that leaves Arby's to work at McDonald's
Avoidable \uh-voy'-duh-buhl\: What a bullfighter tries to do
Baloney \buh-lo'-nee\: Where some hemlines fall
Bernadette \burn'-a-det\: The act of torching a mortgage
Burglarize \bur'-gler-ize\: What a crook sees with
Control \kon-trol'\: A short, ugly inmate
Counterfeiters \kown-ter-fit-ers\: Workers who put together kitchen cabinets
Eclipse \i-klips'\: what an English barber does for a living
Eyedropper \i'-drop-ur\: a clumsy ophthalmologist
Heroes \hee'-rhos\: what a guy in a boat does
Left Bank \left' bangk'\: what the robber did when his bag was full of loot
Misty \mis'-tee\: How golfers create divots
Paradox \par'-u-doks\: two physicians
Parasites \par'-uh-sites\: what you see from the top of the EiffelTower
Pharmacist \farm'-uh-sist\: a helper on the farm
Polarize \po'-lur-ize\: what penguins see with
Primate \pri'-mat\: removing your spouse from in front of the TV
Relief \ree-leef'\: what trees do in the spring
Rubberneck \rub'-er-nek\: what you do to relax your wife
Seamstress \seem'-stres\: describes 250 pounds in a size six
Selfish \sel'-fish\: what the owner of a seafood store does
Subdued \sub-dood'\: like, a guy, like, works on one of those, like, submarines, man
Sudafed \sood'-a-fed\: bringing litigation against a government official
136. NOTHING SPECIAL
"May I take your order?" the waiter asked.
"Yes, how do you prepare your chickens?"
"Nothing special, sir," he replied.
"We just tell them straight out that they're going to die."
137. TWO KEYS
Two keys hang in an undertaker's office - one for the organ in the chapel; the other for one of the cars in the garage.
Two small signs above the keys read "Hymn" and "Hearse."
More great bad humour here.......
BIBLE TRIVIA (Old Testament Family Life)
MAKING CLOTHES FOR THE FAMILY ..........from sheep's wool was the job of the women - as well as washing clothing. They went to streams, pools or watering troughs. Like Arab women they dipped the clothes in and out of the water before placing them on flat stones to beat them with a club. They carried the water in goatskins and had a vessel for rinsing.
Adapted from: '1001 Surprising Things You Should Know About The Bible' MacGregor & Prys
Lots more 'God Facts' are found at...
The Chinese government may be an unintentional instigator of church growth
China (MNN) ¯ The Church in urban China is growing like wildfire, and it may have the government to thank for it."There's a mass migration happening in China right now between people, particularly young people, moving from the rural areas to the city to look for jobs," explains Tom Henry with WorldServe Ministries. "It's also being heavily pushed by the Chinese government. And as that has happens, God is doing the same sort of revival that He did in the rural areas, and churches are exploding in urban areas all over China."
Due to this mass migration, WorldServe has had to alter their direction in China. The ministry, which has historically worked in mostly rural areas of the country, is now moving into the city.
"We're focusing on training new leaders, both business and for the church, and supporting church pastors specifically as they get started on urban churches," says Henry. "We're also reaching unreached people groups that move into the city."
Again comes in the support of the Chinese government. Not only do urban areas of China tend to include less persecution than rural areas, but the government has granted WorldServe and many churches permission to do their work. This allows WorldServe to train Christian businessmen and pastors unhindered.
WorldServe's most recent shift has been in training businessmen. The ministry often brings reputable Christian business leaders from the U.S. and Canada to help train.
"We're really encouraging people to use business as a platform as God intended, because it can be a great opportunity to impact the culture," says Henry.
Eventually, WorldServe hopes to do enough training to essentially not be needed anymore.
"Our goal is to work ourselves out of support for church planting and even training, and have the Chinese businessmen support their own country," explains Henry. By this time the church in China will be thriving on its own--an ideal that could not occur without the support of the Chinese government. Although it may have been unintentional, the Chinese government has been playing an unmistakable part in church growth and ministry.
Source: Mission Network News
Via Openheaven.com
Many more Godfacts at...
DAVID'S DOWNLOAD
‘WALKING WITH JESUS’ COURSEA 3-part course of understanding based on Revelation 12:11. An easily understood, practical series on living the Christian life today. Compiled in 1993-4, the 3 studies, each accompanied by 6 hours of tapes, have been used by over 10,000 New Zealanders plus many overseas, to gain an increased understanding of what ‘walking with Jesus’ is all about. Is useful for enquirers, new Christians and particularly, those seeking an extra dimension to their faith. Ideal for home groups and church teaching sessions too. A non-denominational course, it is supported by Christians from diverse backgrounds. The 3 parts cover
1. The Way of Salvation: Finding Jesus as your personal Saviour.
2. Life Through the Spirit: Christian living through the teaching of Jesus and in the power of the Holy Spirit.
3. Jesus is Lord: Living our lives for Jesus.
So if you desire a deeper relationship with your God, this can help point you in the right direction. You still have to make the effort though! Can’t do that for you!
Download your free PDF File here.....
WAXING LYRICAL
An introduction to the weird world of David Tait! You may like him (me – this isconfusing!) or you may not, but he (I!) is what he is. (I am!) Written many years ago now. Now the same - but different!
'TIS ME'
’Tis me, David John is the name,
Born for business to be my game.
For 30 odd years, I did give it a go,
Often successful, other times low.
Ten years ago now, it collapsed all around,
Misery in my life, did plentifully abound.
So I gave my heart to the Lord, you see,
For by now, I had come to the end of me.
In the time since then,
My God I have sought and fought,
In these years of ten,
He has of me, taught and caught!
He restored me in the business world.
At the same time, my desires He curled.
Now he has me writing this book,
I trust you find it worth the look.
David John is the one I would like to be,
A ‘King David’ with a heart after his God,
If only the Lord would say the same of me,
A real sinner, but still worthy of his nod.
The Apostle John too, has a special place,
In the shadow of Jesus, he did run his race.
Given revelation of our heavenly destiny,
Proved his love for Jesus was a reality.
Now when God gives you a book to write,
Should you show yourself in the best light?
Surely people, God won’t want to offend,
Our image, it’s all-important in the end.
But my friend, that is not my style,
Sweet savours, my readers to beguile.
To be honest, revealing warts and all,
For me, that has always been the call.
I’m far from being the perfect man,
If I were, God wouldn’t need a plan.
Not needing to turn me around, into his image,
Life would be boring for Him, or so I envisage!
For spiritual gifts are given, as He does choose,
Yes, they are ours for life, them we never lose.
Even at times when our behaviour,
Does not do honour to the Saviour!
When I look at the television or stage,
And see the perfect person, strutting their stuff,
I begin to wonder, with the benefit of age,
Is it really God, or are they calling my bluff!
The fruit of the Spirit on the other hand,
Need to be worked at, with Him to stand.
Not just for a splendid hour on the podium,
But in all actions, we are to show no odium.
No, not all can be good looking, I’m certainly not!
But the fruit of the Spirit, we are to display the lot.
For it is in the life we lead from day to day,
The depth of our commitment, we’ll display.
So when I come to read a book,
I always want to take a real look,
At the life of the person who pushes the pen,
What is he thinking, while writing in his den?
Now here you will find David’s Musings,
Over which I have taken some ‘abusings’!
Why are you focusing on yourself? Some do say,
Others, revealing yourself, a dangerous game to play!
But life is a journey my friend,
To be run out to the very end.
To see where I’m at, on the way through,
Will I trust, be of some benefit to you.
Now you may well not, be used to my style,
I have many faults, not just one in a while!
Have endeavoured to be as open as I can be,
What you see here, good and bad, it’s reality!
I normally seek to build a logical case,
On which my conclusions, then to base.
So if at the start, you know you’ve heard it all before,
Don’t give up! By the end, there’s far more in store!
As you read through, you may notice some change,
Being young in the Lord, I am to give him full range,
So if you aren’t too keen on the person you first meet,
Read on, by the end, you may find a new one to greet.
So now, that is a little of the story of my life,
For the full version, you need to ask the wife!
One day I hope we will meet in Heaven,
All our failings healed, no sin, no leaven!
More of David's offerings at...
A DAVID MUSING
Round much of the world it seems, this is a time of families trying to stretch budgets to get their kids ready and pay fees for the new school year.We notice it here in New Zealand where our sales reduce for a couple of weeks while parents spend in other areas. In Africa, it is such a big challenge for so many people.
For we all know that a good education is a great way of helping our kids face their future in the world.
Sadly however, in the West particularly, with our Greek cultural roots, secular education is now seen as being the be all and end all necessity for succeeding in life.
Sadly, this has infiltrated the Christian world also where theological knowledge is substituted for relationship with Jesus. There is a huge difference in knowing about Jesus, than in knowing Him personally, both as Saviour and Lord.
In the ups and downs of life, and I have had many of both, I have found that while education has helped me during the 'ups', it is Jesus who has been by my side at all times, and particularly during the 'downs'. In the 'ups', we so easily tend to forget HIM though!
May we remember this day where our true source of life comes from.
Until next week.......
MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD.
His servant and yours
David Tait
Today's 'Word Puzzle' Answer: HANKER
TODAY'S 'BIBLE QUESTION' ANSWER: B - get rich. (Proverbs 23:4)
REPRODUCTION OF NEWSLETTER CONTENT
Most weeks we get enquiries about reproducing, in electronic or print form, articles contained in 'PGIM!' We welcome and encourage you to utilize this material. Freely received, freely given. We would ask though, that the source be acknowledged as an encouragement to others to subscribe to this newsletter also.Subscription opportunities are available here Subscribe Here
at the bottom of each newsletter or at...
https://www.macnet.co.nz/wwjesus/pay.html
DONATIONS
Each month, because of the size and nature of our web site and maintenance of our sophisticated emailing system, it costs over $200 in provider fees to bring this ministry to you. If you are able to help us meet this expense your credit card donation would be very much welcomed at Make Donations Here as a live connection or at https://secure.macnet.co.nz/www.wwj.org.nz/pay.phpif you prefer to paste the address into your browser. Thanks.
CHANGING YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS? NEWSLETTER STOPS COMING?
Each week we can lose up to 2% of our readers when they change email addresses without letting us know. Or sometimes, by your server acting strangely and just cutting us off! If you are about to change your address, please advise us of both your old and new addresses here atenquiries@wwj.org.nz and we will happily change our records to ensure ongoing delivery. Thanks.
Please also keep our address in your address book, as sometimes servers will automatically delete your address if there is even a one off problem in delivery. If your newsletter doesn't arrive, please let us know and we will reinstate you.
LINKS
If you would like to link your web site to ours, and ours to yours, please advise us onlinks@wwj.org.nz
DOES THIS EMAIL HAVE A BLUE BACKGROUND AND RED HEADINGS?
YES - Great!NO - Your web browser needs to be set to 'Rich Text'. If you have an older 'Text Only' browser, this email may also be viewed on our web site at ...
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