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: 461 Published: 23 Aug 2010
MUSINGS ON THE KINGDOM - PAST, FUTURE AND PRESENT
KINGDOM PRESENT - THE KINGDOM PARABLESThe Parable of the Unmerciful Servant
21 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?†22 Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. 23 “Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. 25 Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt. 26 “The servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ 27 The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go. 28 “But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii. He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded. 29 “His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.’ 30 “But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. 31 When the other servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed and went and told their master everything that had happened. 32 “Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. 33 Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ 34 In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. 35 “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.†(Matthew 18:21-31)
This parable teaches the kingdom truth of forgiveness.
The master, God, through His Son, Jesus, forgave each and every believer our sins, on the cross. 10,000 thousand talents of gold, (many millions of dollars in today's terms) is but a limited physical illustration of the total sacrifice Jesus made on your behalf and mine.
Neither you nor I can live in the presence of God as we are in the natural, for God and sin cannot coexist.
This foundational truth was graphically illustrated when Moses brought the twin tablets of the 10 Commandments, provided by and written upon by God (pure God), down Mount Sinai, only to discover the Israelites had built a golden calf and were worshipping it as a God substitute.
15 So I turned and went down from the mountain while it was ablaze with fire. And the two tablets of the covenant were in my hands. 16 When I looked, I saw that you had sinned against the LORD your God; you had made for yourselves an idol cast in the shape of a calf. You had turned aside quickly from the way that the LORD had commanded you. 17 So I took the two tablets and threw them out of my hands, breaking them to pieces before your eyes. (Deuteronomy 9:15-17)
Moses had no choice other than to smash the tablets, as God cannot live in the presence of sin. The only other alternative would have been for all the people to die instead. The smashing of the tablets therefore, was an act of forgiveness on God's part. A self-sacrifice, an Old Testament picture of what would happen with Jesus, in the New.
Forgiveness is at the heart of the Gospel of Jesus. Our forgiveness of others is required in order to receive forgiveness from God!
25 And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.†(Mark 11:25)
Did I, did you, read that! Do we put it into practice?
We all too often forget the conditional verse after the Lord's Prayer, which sayes exactly the same thing.
14 For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. (Matthew 6:14-15)
The Lord's Prayer is a key indicator that God intends to establish His kingdom here on earth.
10 your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. (Mathew 6:10)
And it also contains the call for forgiveness.
4 Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. (Luke 11:4)
Forgiveness then, as the parable teaches, is at the centre of the establishment of God's kingdom.
By observation too, it is clear that lack of forgiveness is a huge problem, both in individual believers and in the church as a whole.
Holding on to grudges kills spiritual, and often physical, life! The root of bitterness, of unforgiveness, makes us captive to sin.
23 For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin.†(Acts 8:23)
Bitterness grieves God. It can only be overcome through kindness and forgiveness.
30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. (Ephesians 4:30-32)
For a united church, for God's kingdom to be established upon the earth, total forgiveness of one another for the supposed wrongs we feel have been commited upon us, is an essential and foundational requirement.
How is your 'forgiveness quotient' today? Zero! 100%! Or somewhere inbetween.
What are you going to do about it? What you do regarding forgiveness is solely up to you, not the other party involved. As I have found out for myself, you too will be surprised to find out what a difference forgiveness makes in your life. A huge burden will be lifted off your shoulders.
Try it and find out.
In doing so, you will take one step towards seeing the establishment of God's kingdom upon the earth.
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FROM THE WORD
The Withered Fig Tree"In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. Peter remembered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!†“Have faith in God,†Jesus answered. “I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.â€" (Mark 11:20-25)
Prayer
"“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. “This, then, is how you should pray: â€â€˜Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’ For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. (Matthew 6:5-15)
Living as Children of Light
"So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more. You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. “In your anger do not sinâ€: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need. Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." (Ephesians 4:17-32)
Read the Bible (NIV Version) online at...
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DAVID'S DOODLINGS
FORGIVENESS583. Forgiveness is the healing balm of life.
584. ’Tis the oil of forgiveness that lubricates the journey of life.
585. ’Tis only by grace, we run the race.
586. To win life’s ‘race’, start it with a ‘g’!
587. Forgiveness first heals the forgiver.
588. Forgiveness heals both the forgiver and the forgiven.
589. To forgive is Christian, to forgive and forget - Godly.
590. Lord; please forgive me for forgetting forgiveness!
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
Then Herod went from Judea to Caesarea and stayed there a while. 20 He had been quarreling with the people of Tyre and Sidon; they now joined together and sought an audience with him. Having secured the support of Blastus, a trusted personal servant of the king, they asked for peace, because they depended on the king’s country for their food supply. 21 On the appointed day Herod, wearing his royal robes, sat on his throne and delivered a public address to the people. 22 They shouted, “This is the voice of a god, not of a man.†23 Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died. 24 But the word of God continued to increase and spread. 25 When Barnabas and Saul had finished their mission, they returned from Jerusalem, taking with them John, also called Mark. (Acts 12:19-25)
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TUESDAY TEACHINGS
THIS WEEK: THE POWER OF THE CALL continues.......we will look at ways of getting people more involved in doing the work.
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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." ***
230. MEMORANDUM
TO: Jesus, Son of Joseph.Woodcrafters shop. Nazereth.
From: Jordan Management Consultants. Jerusalem.
Subject: Staff Aptitude Test.
Date :May 22/30
Thank you for submitting the resumes of the 12 men you picked for management positions in your new organization. All of them have now taken our battery of tests, and we have not only run the results through our computer but also have arranged personal interviews for each of them with our psychologist and vocational consultant.
It is the staff opinion that most of your nominees are lacking in background, education and vocational aptitude for the type of enterprise you are undertaking. They do not have the team concept. We would recommend that you continue your search for persons of experience in managerial ability and proven capability.
Simon Peter is emotionally unstable and given to fits of temper. Andrew has absolutely no qualities of leadership. The two brothers, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, place personal interest above company loyalty. Thomas demonstrates a questioning attitude that would tend to undermine morale. We feel that it is our duty to tell you that Matthew has been blacklisted by the Greater Jerusalem Better Business Bureau. James, the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddeus definitely have radical leanings, and they both registered a high score on the manic depressive scale.
One of the candidates, however, shows great potential. He is a man of ability and resourcefulness, meets people well, has a keen business mind and has contact in high places. He is highly motivated, ambitious and innovative. We recommend Judas Iscariot as your controller and right hand man. All other profiles are self-explanatory.
We wish you every success in your new venture.
229. THREE RELIGIOUS TRUTHS
There are three Religious Truths:
1. Jews do not recognize Jesus as the Messiah.
2. Protestants do not recognize the Pope as the leader of the Christian faith.
3. Baptists do not recognize each other in the liquor store.
228. THINGS WE WOULDN'T KNOW WITHOUT SUNDAY SCHOOL
With your eyes closed for prayer, anything can happen in a room full of preschoolers.
* Prayer requests reveal a lot about parents.
* A fire extinguisher is a handy device.
* Helium tanks should be chained down tightly.
* Cheap glue adheres to skin.
* Kool Aid and song motions do not mix.
* Grand pianos are not as durable as you might think.
* Church maintenance men do not have a sense of humor.
* Offering money always rolls to the other side of the room when dropped.
* Hand-me-down sound systems can get loud when the adult service is taking communion.
* Ushers do not have a sense of humor.
* There IS a doggie Heaven.
* Parachute games should not be used in a room with a chandelier.
* Animal crackers can be sneezed out the nose.
* Girls are superior to boys.
* There are good reasons why pastor’s kids have a bad reputation.
* Helium intoxication does not render respect in a staff meeting.
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 800 sermon fillers for your entertainment and use at ...
FACTS FOR FUN
LAST WEEKS QUESTION: Is a raven and a crow the same bird?ANSWER: A raven is a type of large crow, with a distinctive croaking call. Therefore all ravens are crows, but not all crows are ravens. (Ravens crow about this!)
THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: How old are ‘prefab’ (prefabricated) houses?
Answer Next Week.
SOME FUN FACTS184. WHOSE IDEA WAS THIS!
The world’s first parking meter was installed in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, during 1935. (Metre by meter they have taken over the world!)
185. A PEACH OF A BASKET
Basketball got its name from the half-bushel peach baskets used as targets by the game’s originator, James A. Naismith, in 1891. (He surely wasn’t a basket case!)
186. RARE
A ‘bibliophile’ is one who collects rare books. A ‘bibliopole’ is a seller of rare books. (A rare breed?)
A WORD PUZZLE FOR YOU
Make another word from this word using all the letters.
SISTERS
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?
10) But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORDA - Ruth 3:7
B - Micah 5:12
C - Joshua 24:15
D - Acts 17:28
Source: www.biblequizzes.com
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IF ONLY I'D THOUGHT OF IT!
"""OTHER'S SAYINGS TO ENLIGHTEN, AMUSE, OR BEMUSE"""DRIVING / MOTORISTS
!!!!!!! Seat belts are not as confining as wheelchairs.. you may think they’re uncomfortable, but have you ever tried a stretcher?
!!!!!! The driver is safe when the roads are dry.. the roads are safer when the driver is dry!
!!!!! Take chances, and the chances are that you won’t have many chances to take.
!!!! Better to be patient on the road, than a patient in the hospital.
!!! Always drive so that your license will expire before you do.
!! Drive carefully… Remember, it is not only a car than can be recalled by its maker.
! Safe driving will keep your car out of the junkyard, and your body out of the graveyard.
100'S MORE TO BE FOUND AT...
LIFE'S A LAUGH
136. WISDOMThe proud father brought home a backyard swing set for his children and immediately started to assemble it with all the neighborhood children anxiously waiting to play on it.
After several hours of reading the directions, attempting to fit bolt A into slot B, etc., he finally gave up and called upon an old handyman working in a neighboring yard.
The old-timer came over, threw the directions away, and in a short while had the set completely assembled.
It's beyond me," said the father, "how you got it together without even reading instructions."
"To tell the truth," replied the old-timer, "I can't read, and when you can't read, you've got to think."
137. CAR ALARMS
I was with a friend in a cafe' when a noisy car alarm interrupted our conversation.
"What good are car alarms when no one pays any attention to them?" I wondered aloud.
"Some are quite effective," my friend corrected me.
"Last summer, my teenager spent a lot of time at the neighbors'.
Whenever I wanted him home, I'd go out to the driveway and jostle his car."
138. CINDY
I overheard two children discussing their selection in the video store.
One boy took Disney's CINDERELLA off the shelf, pointed to the drawing of
the title character on the cover, and said,
"Oh, she's really good. I saw her in ALICE IN WONDERLAND."
139. HURT AND HURT
My husband was bending over to tie my three-year-old's shoes. That's when I noticed my son Ben staring at my husband's head. He gently touched the slightly thinning spot of hair and said in a concerned voice, "Daddy, you have a hole in your head. Does it hurt?"
After a pause, I heard my husband's murmured reply, "Not physically."
Laugh at life here......
BIBLE TRIVIA (Manners and Customs - Clothing and Accessories)
THE HEADGEAR OF BETHLEHEM WOMEN ........... included a high cap, on the front of which might have been sewn rows of gold and silver coins. There was also a veil, perhaps 6 feet long and 4 ft wide that covered the cap but left the coins showing. Some had embroidery work, while others were covered with needlework.
Adapted from: '1001 Surprising Things You Should Know About The Bible' MacGregor & Prys
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Scientists Link Faith and Liver Transplant Survival
The Melbourne Herald SunPISA, ITALY - Scientists at the Clinical Physiology Institute of the Pisa National Research Council followed the progress of 179 liver transplant recipients, Italian new agency ANSA reported.
Their research found that 93.5 per cent of religious worshippers were still alive four years after their operation, while only 79.5 per cent of their non-religious counterparts survived.
The statistics suggest that the mortality rate for a liver transplant patient who does not believe in God is three times higher than for those who do - 20.5 per cent compared to 6.6 per cent.
"This is a statistically significant difference," said psychologist Franco Bonaguidi, who led the probe.
Previous studies charting the effect of religion on health have suggested that faith tends to promote healthy lifestyles, for example discouraging tobacco, alcohol and sexual promiscuity.
via OpenHeaven.com
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DAVID'S DOWNLOAD
'TABERNEAGLE' THOUGHTS FROM.....A poster of thoughts about living life in Tabernacles. Out of a human mind but hopefully with God given inspiration. An A4 sized wall (’loo?’) hanger. A4 size.
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WAXING LYRICAL
Faith is to be a living, growing, dynamic feature of our walk with our God.FAITH
I wonder why, when 'faith' is an issue,
So often then, we reach for a tissue,
To mop up the tears of doubt you see,
That assail us now, both you and me.
For on the one hand, we trust God with our all,
On the other, human doubt, our faith does stall!
"Will He or wont He?" we are wont to think,
Our faith, once so strong, begins to sink.
"You've always proved faithful to me, my Lord,"
While former blessings, I wish I could hoard!
Each new level requiring greater trust in Him,
Memories of past successes faded, now so dim.
If today's faith was the same as in the past,
Our belief in Him, just simply wouldn't last.
It would just be our own strength that had won,
Not that of our Lord, Jesus Christ the Son.
Now, today's challenge is to break new ground,
Then our faith in Him, it will be truly found.
Oh Lord, please help me in my unbelief!
You've come through again - what a relief!
Put simply, it's the way God's faith works,
Though to our human spirit, it still irks!
So if now, we are to mature and grow,
Trusting Him's, the only way to go!
David Tait 4 August 2002
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A DAVID MUSING
Here in our city of Napier in New Zealand, we are experiencing the promise of Spring. One day it is nice and warm and we think Spring has sprung! The next, a southerly direct from the South Pole arrives, reminding us that Winter is not yet ready to release its grip.The change of seasons is a time to rejoice - at least from Winter to Spring, that is. For I am a Summer person, one who prefers the hot to the cold. I know that not all of us are the same though. But without Winter, I would not truly appreciate the Spring and Summer to follow.
Spiritual life is the same. Without the valleys, we do not truly appreciate the mountain tops. Without times of testing we do not appreciate those of celebration.
It is true that 'variety is the spice of life'.
Many of us try to minimise surprises by creating routine in our lives, in an endeavour to keep everything under control. While routine has its place, if we are not prepared to take risks and try new adventures, we will become both boring in nature and restricted in accomplishment.
God is a god of change - particularly in us! He gave us faith for a reason - to be exercised, nor avoided! Faith involves risk. In a no risk situation, faith is not required.
Today, God is challenging us all to move on in Him. To put aside our traditions and religious routines and truly seek His face.
Are you prepared to take the risk? In faith, I am!
Until next week.......
MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD.
His servant and yours
David Tait
Today's 'Word Puzzle' Answer: SISTERS
TODAY'S 'BIBLE QUESTION' ANSWER: 10) C - Joshua 24:15
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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