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: 452 Published: 21 Jun 2010
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MUSINGS ON THE KINGDOM - PAST, FUTURE AND PRESENT
KINGDOM PRESENT - THE KINGDOM PARABLESThe Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector
9 To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ 13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ 14 “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.†(Luke 18:9-14)
Jesus told the parable, and unusually, also gave the interpretation of it, so much did He want to make sure that we all got the point!
Jesus came 'to save' the sinner rather than the (self)righteous.
7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. (Luke 15:7)
Unfortunately, both then and now, many of us humans believe that we are better than we really are! None of us are righteous, save through faith in Jesus.
10 As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one; 11 there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. 12 All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.â€(Romans 3:10:12)
And confirmed:
21 But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22 This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. (Romans 3:21-3)
We are all very critical of the Pharisees, 'tut-tut' hare and 'tut-tut' there, but when we honestly look at ourselves, we find we are no better than they were.
On Friday night I was at the meeting of a noted evangelist and teacher, Al Furie, who has experienced remarkable favour in being allowed to preach and teach multitudes in Cuba. At one time, he was to preach at the Toronto Airport Church for a week, and continued on for 6 weeks. At the end of this time he attended a meeting at the church where the Lord got hold of him and showed him that he was worse inside than many of those he had preached to! Unforgiveness and many other things were uncovered in his life, which he had to repent of.
Wow! How could it be! You see, Al was a highly respected Christian leader who had devoted his life to the Lord's work. Surely he didn't need to repent! But he did! And there is stuff in me - and in you - which is ungodly, no matter how righteous we appear on the surface. For we all sin and fall short of God's righteousness.
Yet it is so easy to 'become religious', as the Pharisees did, and believe that we are right in God's sight, through our own efforts. I have found this to be a particular problem in the highly dedicated, hugely well intentioned, Holiness movement. For so many, in their dedication, have replaced the work of the Holy Spirit, upon which the movement was founded, with man made rules and regulations concerning dress and behaviour. The life has gone. Judgment and self-righteousness have flourished in the Spirit's stead.
But, do not think that is just 'them'! For such problems exist in every church, in every Christian.
Right now, I have flicked over to read an email that has just come in. It reinforces the point! I quote from Gretchen:
.....Being an American, and having grown up in the church here (becoming a Christian at age 5), I can testify that bitterness within the church is an epidemic! Yes! Moreso, I can tell you much about it because I grew up among the thorns of it within my extended family and circle of influence. And as I saw the widespread effects of it, I knew that the Bible is right: bitterness is a poison, its roots go deep, and it affects many many people. Bitterness is a toxic state of the heart. It includes unforgiveness, envy, jealousy, hatred, resentment, selfishness, anger, self pity, etc. Its symptoms include sarcasm, a sardonic wit (very edgy), negativity, criticism, passive-aggressive behavior (taking out anger towards someone behind their back), gossip, anger, fear, and depression (anger turned inwards)......
Many of these things we cannot see in ourselves. We need to humble ourselves, to be prepared to fully open up our life, to allow the Holy Spirit to show us where we truly are at in our walk with Jesus.
That is my prayer both for myself, and for you, today.
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FROM THE WORD
No One Is Righteous"What shall we conclude then? Are we any better? Not at all! We have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under sin. As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.†“Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit.†“The poison of vipers is on their lips.†“Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.†“Their feet are swift to shed blood; ruin and misery mark their ways, and the way of peace they do not know.†“There is no fear of God before their eyes.†Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin." (Romans 3:9-20)
Righteousness Through Faith
"But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus. Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. On what principle? On that of observing the law? No, but on that of faith. For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law. Is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too, since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith. Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law. (Romans 3:21-31)
Godlessness in the Last Days
"But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them. They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over weak-willed women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, always learning but never able to acknowledge the truth. Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these men oppose the truth—men of depraved minds, who, as far as the faith is concerned, are rejected. But they will not get very far because, as in the case of those men, their folly will be clear to everyone. (2 Timothy 3:1-9)
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DAVID'S DOODLINGS
RELIGION, REVELATION AND GOD'S KINGDOM1041. Revelation and religion make incompatible companions.
1042. Religion resists change while revelation requires it!
1043. Revelation formalised soon becomes religion institutionalised.
1044. God's kingdom breeds revelation, religion, rules.
1045. Religion is man's adaptation of God's revelation.
1046. When religion fails you, turn to God.
1047. So often the church attempts to compete with God's kingdom rather than promoting it.
1048. God's vision is our mission.
1049. Religion is the eager repository of yesterday's revelation.
1050. Revelation is eternal truth meeting today's circumstances.
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
20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. (Revelation 3:20)
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TUESDAY TEACHINGS
THIS WEEK: A REVELATION OF... THE THREE PRIESTHOODS continues........... as we commence our look at the priesthood of Jesus.
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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." ***
202. HOW TO GET RID OF YOUR PASTOR
1. Look the pastor straight in the eye while he’s preaching and say "Amen" once in awhile, and he’ll preach himself to death.
2. Pat him on the back and brag on his good points, and he’ll probably work himself to death.
3. Rededicate your life to Christ and ask the preacher for some job to do, preferably some lost person you could win to Christ, and he’ll die of heart failure!
4. Get the Church to unite in prayer for the preacher, and he’ll soon become so effective that some larger church will take him off your hands.
201. THE PIG AND THE CHICKEN
A pig and a chicken were walking by a church where a gala charity event was taking place. Getting caught up in the spirit, the pig suggested to the chicken that they each make a contribution.
"Great idea!" the chicken cried. "Let's offer them ham and eggs?"
"Not so fast," said the pig. "For you, that's a contribution. For me, it's a total commitment."
200. FRIENDS AND FAMILY
Three friends die in a car crash, and they find themselves at the Gates of Heaven. Before entering, they are each asked a question by St. Peter himself.
"When you are in your casket and friends and family are mourning upon you, what would you like to hear them say about you?" asks St. Peter.
The first guy says, "I would like to hear them say that I was a great doctor and a great family man."
The second guy says, "I would like to hear that I was a wonderful husband and school teacher who made a huge difference in our children."
The last guy replies. "I would like to hear them say.... 'HEY LOOK!!! HE'S MOVING!'"
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: Throughout the years, many Popes have beenassassinated or have been the targets of assassinations. Who was
the first Pope to be murdered? John Paul II, Leo X, John V, John VIII
or Luke IV.
ANSWER: John VIII (died 882) was the first Pope to be murdered. He
was poisoned and then clubbed to death. (Double jeopardy?)
THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: When did camouflage become standard
military practice?
Answer Next Week.
SOME FUN FACTS211. LABOUR SAVING DEVICES
At the height of its power, in 400 BC, the Greek city of Sparta had 25,000 citizens and 500,000 slaves. (Now we have 20 machines per person!)
212. IT'S SALTY
A human being can taste one gram of salt in 500 litres of water (0.0001M). (Why do we need so much salt to taste our food then? Age?)
213. ALL ARMS AND LEGS
Ants stretch when they wake up. They also appear to yawn in a very human manner before going about the tasks of the day. (Do they ever sleep in?)
A WORD PUZZLE FOR YOU
Make another word from this word using all the letters.
WRESTLE
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 - WHERE IS THE QUOTATION FROM?
1) Unto a land that I will show thee:A - Exodus 12:1
B - Genesis 12:1
C - Matthew 2:6
D - Philippians 4:12
Source: www.biblequizzes.com
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IF ONLY I'D THOUGHT OF IT!
"""OTHER'S SAYINGS TO ENLIGHTEN, AMUSE, OR BEMUSE"""!!!!!!! I was always going to tell you that I was a procrastinator - but I just never got around to it. (Rev. Paul Woolley)
!!!!!! A horse has a lot of horse sense because it does a lot of stable thinking.
(W. J. Isbell, Jr.)
!!!!! Other people's opinions are nothing to do with you.
!!!! The trouble with mixing business and pleasure is that pleasure usually comes out on top.
!!! Some ulcers are caused by inflammation of the wishbone.
!! Be true to your teeth, or they'll be false to you.
! The truth is like ice water, it shocks you when it hits you, but no one's ever died from it.
100'S MORE TO BE FOUND AT...
LIFE'S A LAUGH
248. THOUGHTFULIt was one of the worst days of my life: The washing machine broke down, the telephone kept ringing, my head ached, and the mail carrier brought a bill I had no money to pay. Almost to the breaking point, I lifted my one-year-old into his high chair, leaned my head against the tray, and began to cry.
Without a word, my son took his pacifier out of his mouth and stuck it in mine.
249. READ - OR IS IT REID?
A friend and her young son, Reid, were browsing in a large bookstore. Engrossed in making a selection, my friend had lost sight of her child.
"Reid!" she called out, racing through the aisles. "Reid!"
Just as she spotted the boy, she bumped into another customer. "Pardon me, ma'am," he said, "but most folks come here because they already like to read. No sense in wasting your time trying to convince them."
250. CHEAP RIDE
I owned a taxi service with my husband William. While sitting in his cab waiting for a fare, William saw that a downpour had left puddles stretching to the curb.
Then he heard someone open the back door and get in. When he turned around to ask the destination, William saw the would-be passenger exiting the other door.
"Thanks," said the 'passenger,' "I just wanted to get over the water."
251. ARGH!
My wife asked me to help one of our neighbors, a young mother whose sailor husband was at sea. Her car had to have a freeze plug replaced, a job that took two days. Then I discovered that the battery was dead, and the starter was shot, so I fixed those too.
Days later, I proudly handed the woman her keys saying, "Now your car is good for many more miles."
"Thanks," she said. "All I care is that it runs long enough to make it to the dealer. I'm trading it in tomorrow."
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BIBLE TRIVIA (Manners and Customs - Clothing and Accessories)
THE OUTER GARMENT OR 'MANTLE'The outer garment that a Palestinian villager wears is a large cloak that serves as an overcoat and blanket. Made of wool or goats hair, it protects from wind and rain.
It was this outer mantle with which Elijah smote the Jordan River to cross over and the mantle that was thrown down to Elisha. (2 Kings 2:8-13)
Adapted from: '1001 Surprising Things You Should Know About The Bible' MacGregor & Prys
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Legal Alternative to Obamacare Takes Faith
by Michelle Vu, The Christian PostPEORIA, IL - Members of Christian health care sharing ministries need to have faith that God will provide.
Samaritan Ministries is currently the largest Christian health care sharing organization out of three in the United States, counting nearly 15,000 families, or about 50,000 people, as members.
Each month, members of Samaritan Ministries receive a newsletter directing them to send their monthly share dues to another participating family who has verified medical bills. And when people send their monthly dues to a member family, they include a card or note of encouragement and prayer.
Through this plan, the ministry meets $3.5 million in medical needs a month.
via OpenHeaven.com
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DAVID'S DOWNLOAD
VICTORYA poetic version of my spiritual journey.
I’ve started but am yet to complete! A challenge and goal for me and maybe you too!
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WAXING LYRICAL
So often we 'live for the day' but the reality is, we don't know how many more days we will have to live! What will be our eternal future of endless days!PLANNING AHEAD
Reality is, today's life is ever so uncertain,
Never know when God will pull down the curtain!
Yes, we all like to think it will never end,
That forever, death's punches, we can fend!
But that is not the way with real life,
Never know when we'll end up in strife.
Yes, it's true our life may be long - or it may be short,
But, one day, by death's clutches, we'll all be caught.
When that day comes, what will we say?
For there's no longer any time to pray.
Yes, it's time now to be held accountable,
Will we then rejoice - or be miserable?
We only get one shot at living,
Too late now for any misgiving.
Yes, the reality of heaven and hell has come,
Can't change our mind, what's done is done.
"Oh Lord, give me another chance,
My claims to heaven to advance!"
"No, you've had your chance, it's now too late,
With a loud clang, He closes the heavenly gate."
Where will you be found on that inevitable day?
On which side of the gate will you forever stay?
Yes, I know now where I'm going to be,
How will it, my friend, be with thee?
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A DAVID MUSING
HOT OFF THE PRESS!Four hours ago, minnows New Zealand (the All Whites) drew 1-1 with the current World Champions, Italy, at the Football World Cup! Our team is ranked 78th in the world and includes 2 players who have a day job other than football. We have only qualified for the World Cup once before, and that was 28 years ago. The draw against Italy follows an identical one against Slovakia in our first game earlier in the week.
The game was played at 2am Monday New Zealand time, but I, along with many others here, got up to watch it.
Football, or soccer as we still often call it, is not our national sport, which is rugby, (the All Blacks!) although football has become more popular over recent years.
We now need to beat Paraguay next Thursday for the dream to continue and to proceed to the next round. The impossible dream! The ultimate underdogs!
I just want to encourage those today who have small churches and get demoralised when looking at the super star, mega churches. Like the style of the All Whites, you may not be pretty, but in God's sight you can be as effective as our 'kiwis' (our national symbol, a flightless bird) have been over the past week. Be encouraged to continue the good fight, when all seems to be futile. God is not looking for super stars, but dedicated disciples who will put Him first, in every circumstance, no matter how long and impossible the odds seem.
I must finish with the immortal words of my American friend and fellow ezine writer, Chuck Graham, just received in my Inbox.
KIWIS!!!KIWIS!!!KIWIS!!!KIWIS!!!KIWIS!!!KIWIS!!!KIWIS!!!KIWIS!!!KIWIS!!!KIWIS!!!KIWIS!!!
KIWIS!!!KIWIS!!!KIWIS!!!KIWIS!!!KIWIS!!!KIWIS!!!KIWIS!!!KIWIS!!!KIWIS!!!KIWIS!!!KIWIS!!!
KIWIS!!!KIWIS!!!KIWIS!!!KIWIS!!!KIWIS!!!KIWIS!!!KIWIS!!!KIWIS!!!KIWIS!!!KIWIS!!!KIWIS!!!
KIWIS!!!KIWIS!!!KIWIS!!!KIWIS!!!KIWIS!!!KIWIS!!!KIWIS!!!KIWIS!!!KIWIS!!!KIWIS!!!KIWIS!!!
KIWIS!!!KIWIS!!!KIWIS!!!KIWIS!!!KIWIS!!!KIWIS!!!KIWIS!!!KIWIS!!!KIWIS!!!KIWIS!!!KIWIS!!!
Until next week.......
MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD.
His servant and yours
David Tait
Today's 'Word Puzzle' Answer: SWELTER
TODAY'S 'BIBLE QUESTION' ANSWER: 1) B - Genesis 12:1
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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