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: 491 Published: 21 Mar 2011
JESUS TALKS ABOUT THE KINGDOM (Kingdom mentions in the Gospels)
9 “This, then, is how you should pray: â€â€˜Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 10 your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. (Matthew 6:9-10) Part 10Last week we learned that 'on earth' means literal earth, as well as our spiritual beings. The prayer means what it says!
Today, as we conclude our look at the Lord's Prayer, we will look at the confluence of earth and heaven, as stated at the completion of the stanza, as it is in heaven.
The first thing we need to know is that the words 'it is' have been added to the original text. This is clear in the King James version where they are in Italics, signifying they have been added to make the text more readable. The original, literal translation, reads 'in earth as in heaven.'
The Greek word for 'as' is 'hos'. It means which how, that is, in that manner, according as, even as, like (as, unto). The word translated as 'in' is 'en' in Greek. It denotes a FIXED POSITION (in place, time or state), a relation of REST.
Putting these together, we can see that God's will is to be superimposed on the natural realm of the earth in the same way as it is in heaven. Hebrews tells us this is done, that we are to enter God's kingdom rest, His work being finished on the 6th day of creation.
3 Now we who have believed enter that rest, just as God has said, “So I declared on oath in my anger, ‘They shall never enter my rest.’†And yet his work has been finished since the creation of the world. (Hebrews 4:3)
Through our complete commitment to Jesus, by entering into His rest, we will see the kingdom return to earth.
To fully understand the power of these kingdom petitions in the Lord's Prayer, we need to confirm the intimate connection between heaven and earth. For we have been taught that heaven is a place of escape, way out there in the sky, far from the hardships of earthly life. Nothing could be further from the truth.
The Lord's Prayer tells us God sees the heaven and earth as 2 parts of one package. The whole story of the Bible is about this. In the Old Testament.....
13 My own hand laid the foundations of the earth, and my right hand spread out the heavens; when I summon them, they all stand up together (Isaiah 44:13)
and in the New.....
10 He also says, “In the beginning, O Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. (Hebrews 1:10)
The 3 'heavens' (the atmosphere, outer space, and the spiritual heaven beyond, which Paul visited) and 'earth' were created as an integral unit.
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth..... 31 God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day. Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array..... 4 This is the account of the heavens and the earth when they were created. (Genesis 1:1, 1:31-2:1,4)
God walked upon the earth, the natural repesentation of the spiritual heaven, described as being the Garden of Eden.
8 Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden. (Genesis 3:8)
When sin separated man from God, heaven and earth separated too.
23 So the LORD God banished him from the Garden of Eden to work the ground from which he had been taken. (Genesis 3:23)
God's plan was always to restore heaven upon the earth, through the sacrifice of His Son Jesus for mankind's sin.
19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. (Colossians 1:19)
Most Christians understand this, but we see the restoration of the earth to be an 'event' rather than a 'process'. We have been taught that we will be zapped out of here to avoid tribulation, then Jesus will come, click His fingers, and a magical new world will be born! Sorry, but this is not the way God works. Jesus said this.....
20 Once, having been asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, “The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, 21 nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is within you.†(Luke 17:20-21)
The kingdom is indeed, within us. We are charged with restoring His kingdom upon the earth! Through good times and bad, through overcoming difficulties and persecution, until our promised, ultimate victory. Jeremiah prophesied this victory, coming after a battle with the forces of the world (symbolised by Babylon), to bring about a time when heaven and earth will be reunited.
47 For the time will surely come when I will punish the idols of Babylon; her whole land will be disgraced and her slain will all lie fallen within her. 48 Then heaven and earth and all that is in them will shout for joy over Babylon, for out of the north destroyers will attack her,†declares the LORD. (Jeremiah 51:47-8)
We are heaven's representatives on earth. What a privilege! What a responsibility!
45 So it is written: “The first man Adam became a living beingâ€; the last Adam, a life-giving spirit. 46 The spiritual did not come first, but the natural, and after that the spiritual. 47 The first man was of the dust of the earth, the second man from heaven. 48 As was the earthly man, so are those who are of the earth; and as is the man from heaven, so also are those who are of heaven. 49 And just as we have borne the likeness of the earthly man, so shall we bear the likeness of the man from heaven. (1 Corinthians 15:45-49)
Yes. heaven and earth have been brought together by Jesus! Praise the glorious Lamb!
13 Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing: “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!†(Revelation 5:13)
What is our comitment to the kingdom? Do we truly understand and fulfill our role, when we pray Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven?
Amen.
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FROM THE WORD
A Sabbath-Rest for the People of God"Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it. For we also have had the gospel preached to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard did not combine it with faith. Now we who have believed enter that rest, just as God has said, “So I declared on oath in my anger, ‘They shall never enter my rest.’†And yet his work has been finished since the creation of the world. For somewhere he has spoken about the seventh day in these words: “And on the seventh day God rested from all his work.†And again in the passage above he says, “They shall never enter my rest.†It still remains that some will enter that rest, and those who formerly had the gospel preached to them did not go in, because of their disobedience. Therefore God again set a certain day, calling it Today, when a long time later he spoke through David, as was said before: “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.†For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day. There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from his. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following their example of disobedience. For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account." (Hebrews 4:1-14)
The Supremacy of Christ
"He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant." (Colossians 1:15-23)
The Scroll and the Lamb
"Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?†But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.†Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. He came and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God,
and they will reign on the earth.†Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they sang: "Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!†Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing: “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!†The four living creatures said, “Amen,†and the elders fell down and worshiped." (Revelation 5:1-13)
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DAVID'S DOODLINGS
REVELATION AND RELIGION881. Religion is learned, revelation received.
882. Religion stems from the mind of man, revelation from the heart of God.
883. Revelation is revolutionary, religion, counter-revolutionary.
884. Religion is the opiate of the masses, while revelation reveals the heart of God.
885. One man's revelation quickly becomes another's religion.
886. Religion suffocates revelation.
887. Religion is centered upon man's needs, revelation upon the will of God.
888. When religion embraces a revelation, it's time for new revelation!
889. Revelation builds, religion stifles.
890. Many say, 'give me religion', but few, 'give me revelation'.
891. Religion fosters pride, while revelation comes from a broken heart.
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 ...
CRANWELLS CARTOONS
6 After forty days Noah opened the window he had made in the ark 7 and sent out a raven, and it kept flying back and forth until the water had dried up from the earth. 8 Then he sent out a dove to see if the water had receded from the surface of the ground. 9 But the dove could find no place to set its feet because there was water over all the surface of the earth; so it returned to Noah in the ark. He reached out his hand and took the dove and brought it back to himself in the ark. 10 He waited seven more days and again sent out the dove from the ark. 11 When the dove returned to him in the evening, there in its beak was a freshly plucked olive leaf! Then Noah knew that the water had receded from the earth. 12 He waited seven more days and sent the dove out again, but this time it did not return to him. (Genesis 8:6-12)TO READ THIS CARTOON AND SEE
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TUESDAY TEACHINGS
THIS WEEK: A REVELATION OF... THE BOOK OF RUTH concludes.............. with a look at the final chapter, Chapter 4. See its implications for our church today.
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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!
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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." ***
315. LOT'S WIFE
The teacher was in the middle of telling the Bible story of Lot's rescue from the sinful cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. When she came to the part about Lot's wife, she said, "And Lot's wife looked back and turned into a pillar of salt." A little boy's hand shot up. "That's nothing. Last week when my mother was driving to the store, she looked back and turned into a telephone pole."
314. CHRISTMAS CONFUSION
The Sunday School children had been asked to draw a Christmas nativity scene. When the teacher reviewed what they had done, she noticed that one picture, in addition to Mary, Joseph, Angels, Shepherds and Wisemen, also had a rather plump man standing off to the side. So the young artist was asked to explain who this was. "Oh," he said, "that's round John virgin".
313. LAUGHTER LIKE MEDICINE
A pastor listened outside the Sunday School room door while the children recited their memory verse. One little boy repeated it this way, "Laughter does good like a medicine should."
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 it true that hair and nails continue to grow after death?ANSWER: No, they only seem to. What really happens is that the body dries out after death and the skin recedes from the hair and nails, making it appear as if they are longer. In fact, even though hair is not technically ‘living’, hair and nail cells still need to be nourished by blood in order to grow. (They’re bloodthirsty?)
THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: What is an ‘inclined elevator’?
Answer Next Week.
SOME FUN FACTS94. NOT A NUT
The cashew is actually the seed of a fruit called a ‘cashew apple’ that grows in tropical regions. After harvesting, the cashew apple keeps for only 24 hours before the soft fruit deteriorates. The cashew apple is not commercially important since it spoils quickly, but local people love it. To harvest the nut, the ripe apple is allowed to fall to the ground. The apple and nut are then separated. (A cash-ew crop.)
95. FLYING LOW
At the outbreak of World War I, the American air force comprised only fifty men. (Now 50 men per aircraft?)
96. EDUCATED?
Less than 50 percent of American adults understand that Earth orbits the Sun yearly, according to a basic science survey. (Does it?)
A WORD PUZZLE FOR YOU
Make another word from this word using all the letters.
DISCOUNT
Answer at the end of A David Musing
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BIBLE QUESTION - JOSHUA
20) How old was Joshua when he died?A - 40
B - 70
C - 90
D - 110
Source: www.biblequizzes.com
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IF ONLY I'D THOUGHT OF IT!
"""OTHER'S SAYINGS TO ENLIGHTEN, AMUSE, OR BEMUSE"""!!!!!!! A careful study of economics usually reveals that the best time to buy anything is last year.
!!!!!! A perfectionist is one who takes great pains, and gives them to everyone else.
!!!!!A picture may be worth a thousand words but it uses up a thousand times more memory.
!!!! Just when I was getting used to yesterday, along came today.
!!! My mind not only wanders, it sometimes leaves completely.
!! No one should live by the early bird policy without finding out whether he classifies as a bird or a worm.
! Sometimes I think I understand everything, then I regain consciousness.
100'S MORE TO BE FOUND AT...
EXTENSIVE EXPLANATIONS
39. NEW DIET RULES1. If you eat something, but no one else sees you eat it, it has no calories.
2. When drinking a diet soda while eating a candy bar, the calories in the candy bar are canceled by the diet soda.
3. When you eat with someone else, calories don't count as long as you don't eat more than they do.
4. Foods used for medicinal purposes never count. eg. hot chocolate, brandy, toast, Sara Lee cheesecake
5. If you fatten up everyone else around you, then you look thinner.
6. Movie-related foods do not have calories because they are part of the entertainment package and not part of one's personal fuel. eg. milk duds, buttered popcorn, junior mints and Tootsie Rolls
7. Cookie pieces contain no calories. The process of breaking the cookie causes calorie leakage.
8. Late-night snacks have no calories. The refrigerator light is not strong enough for the calories to see their way into the calorie counter.
9. If you are in the process of preparing something, food licked off knives and spoons have no calories. eg. peanut butter on a knife, ice cream on a spoon
10. Food of the same color have the same number of calories. Examples are spinach and pistachio ice cream, mushrooms and white chocolate. Chocolate is a universal color and may be substituted for any other.
BUT DOES OUR CREATOR AGREE?
40. SIGNS THAT YOU ARE 'WEBBED OUT'
Your opening line is, "So what's your home page address?"
Your best friend is someone you've never met.
You see a beautiful sunset, and you half expect to see "Enhanced for Netscape 1.1" on one of the clouds.
You are overcome with disbelief, anger and finally depressed when you encounter a Web page with no links.
You are driving on a dark and rainy night when you hydroplane on puddle, sending your car careening toward the flimsy guard rail that separates you from the precipice of a rocky cliff and certain death. You look for the "Back" button.
You visit "The Really Big Button that Doesn't Do Anything" again and again and again.
Your dog has his own Web page and so does your hamster.
When you read a magazine, you have an irresistible urge to click on the underlined passages.
41. ALL I REALLY NEED TO KNOW I LEARNED FROM NOAH'S ARK
1. Plan ahead. It wasn't raining when Noah built the ark.
2. Stay fit. When you're 600 years old, someone might ask you to do something REALLY big.
3. Don't listen to critics -- do what has to be done.
4. Build on high ground.
5. For safety's sake, travel in pairs.
6. Two heads are better than one.
7. Speed isn't always an advantage. The cheetahs were on board, but so were the snails.
8. If you can't fight or flee -- float!
9. Take care of your animals as if they were the last ones on earth.
10. Don't forget that we're all in the same boat.
11. When the doo-doo gets really deep, don't sit there and complain -- shovel!!!
12. Stay below deck during the storm.
13. Remember that the ark was built by amateurs and the Titanic was built by professionals.
14. If you have to start over, have a friend by your side.
15. Remember that the woodpeckers INSIDE are often a bigger threat than the storm outside.
16. Don't miss the boat.
17. No matter how bleak it looks, there's always a rainbow on the other side.
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BIBLE TRIVIA (Famous Words and Phrases)
THE BLIND LEADING THE BLINDJesus coined this phrase in Matthew 15:14 when describing false teachers leading innocent people astray.
Today, it is usually used to describe the self-important and self-deluded.
Adapted from: '1001 Surprising Things You Should Know About The Bible' MacGregor & Prys
Publisher in China 'legally' brings out 110 Christian books -- with full government permission
By Dan WoodingFounder of ASSIST Ministries
NASHVILLE, TN (ANS) -- An Englishman now living in China has revealed that the company he works for has now brought out 110 Christian books - with the full permission of the government.
This surprising fact was revealed to me by David Wright, General Manager of ZDL Books, during a recent interview at NRB 2011 in Nashville, Tennessee.
"I work for an organization called ZDL and we are based in Beijing and are focused on bringing Christian content legally to China," Wright began. "We have worked since 2003 to do that and today we have around 110 legally approved books that are being distributed all over the country.
"We also have a number of websites that have been built and are distributing content all over the country and we're running training events which again are all open and legal.
"China is steadily changing and we're trying to work with the government, at their pace, to bring Christian content in."
Wright, who comes originally from England, explained that some of the books they have published in China include, "Spiritual Leadership" by Oswald Sanders, as well as a missionary biography series which have included, "Through Gates Of Splendor" and "Peace Child."
He went on to say, "We've also done a Children's Bible which is exciting because that has been donated into government-run orphanages and that's a huge opportunity because those orphanages are filled with kids who have never even heard of the name of Jesus. So we're getting legal Children's Bibles into those orphanages."
Wright then spoke about the procedure they use to get government approval for their books.
"When we go to the government to get approval, we basically work with them to help them to understand what the book is about and to assure them that it's not going to get them in trouble, because in China, only the government can publish books and the government has allowed around 500 government publishing houses to do just that," he said.
"So we work with the publishing houses and, if the government officials allow a book to be published, that means that later on, if other parts of the government have a problem with the book, there won't be difficulties for them. So our role is to work with them to be sure that this is a good book for China."
When asked how he first got involved with China, Wright replied, "I came to China some eight years ago after a clear call from God to go to there. I spent the first year studying the language and after that I got to know people who were just starting the company, so one thing led onto another and I got involved."
What changes have you seen since you've been in China?
"In the area that we're working there have been huge changes," he said. "When the Chinese government first came into power in 1949, one of its four goals was to get rid of religion because of the communist idea that religion is the 'opiate' of the people. This goal was first in their minds for many years, and that's why we hear all the stories of the persecution of the Chinese Church.
"Over time, however, particularly in the eighties, the government started to change when they realized that their goal of removing religion wasn't working. Also, in the early eighties, they realized that if China was going to be number-one in the world, then they had to open up in order to do that."
Wright said that things really began to change when a top government leader announced publically that "religion is a positive force to society."
He went on to say, "So that was a huge one-eighty shift. And what I've seen during this last seven years is a continual opening up of China from 2003, when there were basically no Christian books, and it was very difficult to do anything legally with Christian content, to today were there's over 200 legal Christian bookstores around the country and also a very fast growing Chinese Christian web presence and we and we have been able to publish these 110 books.
"In 2010, we published 35 books and, God willing, in in this coming year we'll publish 40 more books. So things are really rolling."
Is there still a big difference between the Three-Self [Government approved] Church and those in the Underground Church?
"China is huge and you hear lots of things and really everything you hear about China is true somewhere in the country," said Wright. "In some areas, there's really no difference between the Underground or House Churches and the government churches. They work very closely with each other and there's not a problem. However, in other areas there's still a lot of separation and a lot of challenges. So it really depends on the area."
Wright added, "We believe that we, as an organization, have a 2020 vision and that vision is to say that by that year we want to see China fully resourced with legal Christian content, and what we mean by that, is no matter what province, town or village it is, by 2020, if people want Christian resources, whether it's books or digital content, or training events, it will all be available. We're working very hard to do that.
"We believe that there is an urgency, and that's why we're focusing on these next ten years because the Chinese Church is moving rapidly from a situation of persecution and poverty, to a situation of acceptance and prosperity.
"Praise God that the persecution and the tough times are [mainly] in the past and are no longer there, but one of the realities is that persecution and poverty are one of the key things that help Christians to grow and what has caused the Chinese Church to go through one of the biggest revivals we've ever seen.
"So, then, quickly moving into prosperity and into acceptance, that's a dangerous thing and, particularly, because they don't have the resources that we have in the West to help individual Christians deepen their faith and to help pastors run their churches.
"So we're working as hard as we can over these next ten years to change that. We will appreciate all the prayers we can get so that we can do that over these next few years."
For more information, please go to: www.zdlbooks.com
Source: (ANS) www.assistnews.net
Via openheaven.com
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A DAY IN THE LIFE OF ...A unique look at what may have been like to visit the Tabernacle of of Moses.
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WAXING LYRICAL
This poem was 2 years in the writing! The inspiration came, half was written, then I got busy on other things! In the last day or two I have had some spare time, so thought to finish it. (Actually I have had more spare time during the two years but never quite got 'a round tuit'!) I hope the result is worth waiting for!MR BUMBLE (Part 2)
“It's true then! I can’t really fly?
Yes, about to fall from the sky!
Life now seems just not worth the living!
Even with all the effort, I’ve been giving!
So at that very moment he gave up trying,
Knew he should, no longer now be flying,
From a rapid ten thousand beats a minute,
To wings folded, his heart no longer in it.
So our 'brmm-brmm bee' plummeted to the ground,
Fortunately for him, landing on a very soft mound
Of leaves gently fallen from a nearby tree,
Disaster averted, I was so thankful to see.
"Why are you down here Mr Bumble", I asked, surprised,
When suddenly it dawned - my mistake, I now realised.
You shouldn't have taken to heart what I said,
Was only theoretical, straight from my head.
Of course you can fly, everyone knows that fact,
Indeed we would rather like to get in on the act!
For God made you in a very special way,
To humble us humans, each and every day.
For when we see how well you can fly,
We realise, no matter how hard we try,
There's knowledge money can't buy,
That's of our God, up there in the sky.
"But I believed you," Mr Bumble sadly said,
"Look at me now, I could easily be dead!
Thank God for the leaves of the tree,
Now I know, He is looking after me"
"Forgive me please," I cried out loud,
Feeling foolish for being so proud,
So full of worldly knowledge is my brain,
To consider others feelings, too much strain.
"Mr Bumble, you are a scientific miracle,
My understanding, insufficiently empirical,
For it is obvious you can soar far above,
Which I simply can't, for money or love!"
"I feel a lot better now," said Mr Bumble,
"To see you on your knees, so humble,
Maybe I can fly again without a fumble,
I'll give it a good go - LET'S NOW RUMBLE!
Wings flapping,
Slowly at first,
Then revving,
Give it a burst!
Now into the air again, Mr Bumble flew,
"Yes, I can still fly!" that he now knew,
Up, up, into the blue,
Buzz, buzz, it's true!
There are two lessons here, in life to be learned,
Neither pull another down, nor be the one spurned,
For word's are so powerful you see,
When taken and used by our enemy.
We're to encourage one another to fly high,
Sometimes it's difficult, but let's give it a try.
Yes, twill give a whole new outlook on life,
As well as keeping Mr Bumble, out of strife!
For the 'Fruit of the Spirit' we are to develop,
Yes, love, peace and joy, our life will envelop.
So when we meet the Mr Bumbles of our daily walk,
We can help them fly higher, through our godly talk.
('Artistic Lisence' has been taken in describing the nesting habits of the bumble bee. Unlike honey bees, they are solitary creatures! But that would spoil a good story!)
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A DAVID MUSING
We have had a particularly difficult time with one of our Seekers shops over the past fortnight. The details don't matter, but this, along with a difficult trading period over past months, and the consequent cost cutting and retrenchment required to stay in business, has been challenging, to say the least.On a wider basis, the troubles in the the Middle East, natural disasters, both here in New Zealand, and even more so, in Japan, are unsettling people worldwide.
The world in which we live is suddenly more uncertain, which should cause us to think, "Whose side are we on?"
We have a choice. Many will fall away and follow the world. But the remnant who take the 'narrow road' will overcome. It is costly! In reality, the Bible promises it will cost us our life! Perhaps literally, but most definitely, spiritually, through putting God and His desires ahead of our own.
Is this a price we are prepared to pay?
Until next week.......
MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD.
His servant and yours
David Tait
Today's 'Word Puzzle' Answer: CONDUITS
TODAY'S 'BIBLE QUESTION' ANSWER: 20) D - 110 (Joshua 24:29)
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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