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: 438 Published: 15 Mar 2010
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MUSINGS ON THE KINGDOM - PAST, FUTURE AND PRESENT
KINGDOM PRESENT - THE KINGDOM PARABLESTHE SHEPHERD AND HIS FLOCK
“I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2 The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep. 3 The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.†6 Jesus used this figure of speech, but they did not understand what he was telling them. 7 Therefore Jesus said again, “I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. 11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 13 The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. 14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. 17 The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.†(John 10:1-18)
This morning, (Sunday) I was lying in bed listening to the radio. There was a programme on about teaching religion in schools.
Setting a benchmark, 55% of New Zealanders considered themselves Christian (most are nominal though), 30% atheist or agnostic, with 15% following other religions.
In essence, the conclusion was that it was acceptable to teach 'religious moral values' without teaching any particular 'religion'. One universal God etc., etc. The one world church movement is growing, and sadly, is supported by many 'Christians'.
The Christians, and others, had either not read, misunderstood, or rejected this parable. For Jesus was warning here about this 'politically correct', worldly conclusion.
According to Jesus, there is only one way, one gate, to enter the kingdom of God. Either Jesus is lying, which means we shouldn't believe anything He says, or He is speaking the truth, informing us of an unequivocal fact, one which we ignore at our peril.
He reiterates this truth in Matthew.
The Narrow and Wide Gates
13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. (Matthew 7:13-14)
The choices are the broad gate of inclusion and destruction, or the narrow gate of life, now and for eternity.
This choice is mine. This choice is yours. Which gate will you choose?
The parable continues to say that there are two groups of sheep that will be combined into one flock, in the kingdom.
16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. (John 10:16)
The two lots of sheep that are to join together are the Jews who choose to follow Jesus, along with the gentiles, whom the Jews of the time, and many still today, would not consider could ever be acceptable to God, without first becoming Jews.
Peter, the Jew, had to learn this lesson through the vision he received from the Lord about all animals now being clean to eat.
15 “As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on them as he had come on us at the beginning. 16 Then I remembered what the Lord had said: ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ 17 So if God gave them the same gift as he gave us, who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could oppose God?†18 When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, “So then, God has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life.†(Acts 11:15-18)
I look forward to the day when we will all, Jewish and gentile followers of Jesus will be gathered into the one flock with one shepherd.
Thank you Lord.
(Continued next week)
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FROM THE WORD
Jesus the Way to the Father"Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?†Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.†Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.†Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves. I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it." (John 14:5-14)
"Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him.†In reply Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.†“How can a man be born when he is old?†Nicodemus asked. “Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born!†Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.†(John 3:1-8)
Peter Explains His Actions
"The apostles and the brothers throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him and said, “You went into the house of uncircumcised men and ate with them.†Peter began and explained everything to them precisely as it had happened: “I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision. I saw something like a large sheet being let down from heaven by its four corners, and it came down to where I was. I looked into it and saw four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, reptiles, and birds of the air. Then I heard a voice telling me, ‘Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.’ “I replied, ‘Surely not, Lord! Nothing impure or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’ “The voice spoke from heaven a second time, ‘Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.’ This happened three times, and then it was all pulled up to heaven again. “Right then three men who had been sent to me from Caesarea stopped at the house where I was staying. The Spirit told me to have no hesitation about going with them. These six brothers also went with me, and we entered the man’s house. 13 He told us how he had seen an angel appear in his house and say, ‘Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. He will bring you a message through which you and all your household will be saved.’ “As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on them as he had come on us at the beginning. Then I remembered what the Lord had said: ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ So if God gave them the same gift as he gave us, who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could oppose God?†When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, “So then, God has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life.â€" (Acts 11:1-18)
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DAVID'S DOODLINGS
RELIGION, REVELATION AND GOD'S KINGDOM1032. Religion creates its own standard mould of monotonous mediocrity. God breaks moulds!
1033. Religion is centred upon man, the kingdom, upon God.
1034. Religion is the outcome of the institutionalisation of a God given vision.
1035. Religion is based upon rules, God's kingdom upon obedience.
1036. Religion seeks to control the Spirit of God which His kingdom releases.
1037. Religion controls, God's kingdom releases.
1038. Religion seeks to define an infinite God. By definition, it is doomed to failure.
1039. Religion seeks to interpret the answers to life found in God's kingdom. Surely a direct approach is best.
1040. As religion goes, God's kingdom grows.
1041. Revelation and religion make incompatible companions.
1042. Religion resists change while revelation requires it!
1043. Revelation formalised soon becomes religion institutionalised.
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
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TUESDAY TEACHINGS
THIS WEEK: SERMON ON THE MOUNT - THE KINGDOM WAY continues........ as we look at the vital subject of prayer.
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*** ANOTHER DAILY EZINE FROM WWJ!*** 'LAUGHING AT OURSELVES' Subscribe Today
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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." ***
162. LATERAL THINKING
A mother was preparing pancakes for her sons, Kevin, 5, and Ryan, 3. The boys began to argue over who would get the first pancake. Their mother saw the opportunity for a moral lesson. "If Jesus were sitting here, He would say, 'Let my brother have the first pancake. I can wait." Kevin turned to his younger brother and said, "Ryan, you be Jesus!"
161. KIDS ARE FUNNY PEOPLE
A father was reading Bible stories to his young son. He read, "The man named Lot was warned to take his wife and flee out of the city, but his wife looked back and was turned to salt." His son asked, "What happened to the flea?"
160. OUCH!
A man had a habit of grumbling at the food his wife placed before him at family meals. Then he would ask the blessing.
One day after his usual combination complaint-prayer, his little girl asked, "Daddy, does God hear us when we pray?"
"Why, of course," he replied. "He hears us every time we pray."
She thought on this a moment, and asked, "Does he hear everything we say the rest of the time?"
"Yes, dear, every word," he replied, encouraged that he had inspired his daughter to be curious about spiritual matters.
Then his daughter asked, "Then which does God believe?"
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: What creature has infrared receptors to help itcatch prey in total darkness?
ANSWER: Snakes! Certain snakes, including Pythons and Boa
Constrictors, have pits along their lips that are actually infrared heat
receptors. These receptors can help a snake locate prey even in total
darkness. (I pray not to be the prey! What am I worried about? New
Zealand is about the only country that doesn’t have snakes!)
THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: What is the lowest place on Earth?
Answer Next Week.
SOME FUN FACTS253. A FLYING DIET
An insect exerts so much energy in one hour of flying that it may lose up to a third of its total body weight. (Why can’t I do this?)
254. A LITTLE LARGER
All the planets in our solar system could be placed inside the planet Jupiter. (How to get them all there at once to prove it, is a problem.)
255. SHUT DOWN
The lungfish can live out of the water in a state of suspended animation for three years. (Many of us live that way all our lives!)
A WORD PUZZLE FOR YOU
Make another word from this word using all the letters.
MEDIUMS
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 - MOUNTAINS
6) Which of the following notable events happened at Mount Sinai?A - Jesus crucified
B - Jesus ascended
C - Joshua defeats Moab
D - Ten commandments received
Source: www.biblequizzes.com
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IF ONLY I'D THOUGHT OF IT!
"""OTHER'S SAYINGS TO ENLIGHTEN, AMUSE, OR BEMUSE"""SAYINGS FOR YOU TO PONDER
!!!!!!! If you make money your god, it will plague you like the devil.
!!!!!! Man is the only creature that blushes ~ or needs to.
!!!!! Don't be afraid to be honest with God ~ you will never be short-changed.
!!!! If you aim at nothing, you're sure to hit it.
!!! When you don't know what harbour you're making for, no wind is the right wind.
!! If there were no God, it would not have been necessary to invent Him.
! Blessed is he who expects nothing, for he shall never be disappointed.
100'S MORE TO BE FOUND AT...
WHY?
97. Why do we feel "blue"?98. Why don't you hear thunder with heat lightning?
99. If one man says, "It was an uphill battle," and another says, "It went downhill from there," how could they both be having troubles?
100. Why is it you walk down a road, even if it goes uphill?
101. Why is it that it's bad to be mean, but for something to have "mean"ing can be good?
102. Why do we play in recitals and recite in plays?
103. Why is it that one person lives and many people live? Shouldn't it be one person live and many people lives?
104. If time heals all wounds, how come the belly button stays the same?
105. How is it that ‘back seat drivers’ usually sit in the front seat? (David Tait)
106. What would chairs look like if our legs bent the other way?
107. How is it that those who hate mice can still manage to operate a computer? (David Tait)
108. Can God make a rock so big that he can’t lift it?
109. Why are there interstate highways in Hawaii?
110. Why are there flotation devices under plane seats instead of parachutes?
111. Why are cigarettes sold in gas stations when smoking is prohibited there?
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?
Just relax and have a ponder here.......
BIBLE TRIVIA (Old Testament Family Life)
A BARREN COUPLE SPENT A GOOD DEAL OF TIME EXAMINING..........their past failures to see if they had any unconfessed sin. Children became the main theme of their prayers. Examples are Isaac in Genesis 25:21 and Hannah, (1 Samuel 1:11) who offered to give her son to the Lord's service, if she could conceive.
When sin was ruled out as the cause of infertility, the wife would then look to other remedies.
Adapted from: '1001 Surprising Things You Should Know About The Bible' MacGregor & Prys
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Churches Will Explore Internet Opportunities on Sunday April 25
Internet Evangelism Day is an annual focus day for churches. This year, it is scheduled for Sunday April 25. It's an opportunity for any church to explore with its members the exciting opportunities for sharing the good news online. Ready-made free downloads – PowerPoint, video clips, handouts, drama scripts and music can be easily built into a presentation of five minutes or 50.2010's focus day will be the sixth to be used by churches around the world since the initiative's launch in 2005. Over this period, digital media have developed dramatically, with the advent of YouTube, Facebook and Twitter, and the growing use of mobile phones to access online services.
IE Day's website is also a one-stop resource covering many subjects including: how to build a church website that is 'outsider friendly', using Twitter in evangelism, and ideas for effective blogging.
Perhaps surprisingly, you do not need to be technical to share your faith online. And you can volunteer to be an email mentor to inquirers with several large online outreach ministries.
Internet Evangelism Day is an initiative of the Internet Evangelism Coalition, based at the Billy Graham Center, Wheaton. It is supported by a wide range of Christian leaders and groups. "I am glad to commend Internet Evangelism Day," says John Stott.
More information: www.InternetEvangelismDay.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.
Download your free PDF File here.....
WAXING LYRICAL
My wife likes crosswords. I prefer Sudoku. But it is fun to play with words occasionally!'USING'
It's amusing
Is no musing.
Mind abusing.
Now accusing.
Brain fusing.
Never 'using'!
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A DAVID MUSING
Patience is a virtue. One that I have had to develop! Most of us though are similar, for in today's world we seek instant gratification in so many things.The old saying, 'everything comes to he who waits' is not highly regarded in this age.
We have been searching for the best part of a year now for a location for a new shop in the beautiful tourist town of Taupo, in the centre of the North island of New Zealand. It is most famous as the place where Kathy and I did a 'bungy jump' some years ago! You jump 50 metres off a bridge attached to a giant rubber band! Yes, it's true - the bungy part, not the famousness! Trout fishing on the beautiful lake is one attraction of the area.
This past week we have finally found a building in a good location, at a rental we can afford. Rentals generally, are very high there. A long wait, but finally, success.
Waiting is a very important spiritual fruit in living for Jesus. It is so easy to get frustrated when things don't happen in the timescale we expect! Of course, God lives in eternity, so He looks at time a lot differently than we do!
What are you waiting for today? That which is in God's will, will be accomplished, in His time.
Until next week.......
MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD.
His servant and yours
David Tait
Today's 'Word Puzzle' Answer: DUMMIES
TODAY'S 'BIBLE QUESTION' ANSWER: C - Jabin (Judges 4:7)
REPRODUCTION OF NEWSLETTER CONTENT
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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!
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david@wwj.org.nz