ARE YOU A BELIEVER OR A DISCIPLE?

One of, perhaps the greatest, challenge facing the church today, is the 'cult of the believer'. What heresy, David! How can belief in Jesus be considered a cult? Surely that is what the Bible, what Jesus, told us to do - to believe!

How about the most famous, the most loved, the most comforting, verse in the Bible, John 3:16?

16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16 NIV)

Surely, all we need to do is to believe?

Well..... yes..... and no.

Yes, if we understand the full, the true, the comprehensive meaning of 'believe' in the Jewish, Biblical context that Jesus communicated in. No, if our understanding is based on a Western, Greek based, intellectual concept.

WESTERN CONCEPT OF BELIEF

Let's have a look at the meaning of 'belief' in the Oxford Dictionary. 5 meanings are given. It is important to look at them all, for all affect our concept of what 'belief' is.

Belief

1. FEEL CERTAIN [transitive] - to feel certain that something is true or that somebody is telling you the truth.
eg. The man claimed to be a social worker and the old woman believed him.

2. THINK POSSIBLE [intransitive, transitive] - to think that something is true or possible, although you are not completely certain.
eg.‘Where does she come from?’ ‘Spain, I believe.’

3. HAVE OPINION [transitive] - believe (that)… to have the opinion that something is right or true.
eg. The party believes (that) education is the most important issue facing the government.

4. BE SURPRISED/ANNOYED [transitive] - don't/can't ~ used to say that you are surprised or annoyed at something.
eg. She couldn't believe (that) it was all happening again.

5. RELIGION [intransitive] - to have a religious faith
eg. The god appears only to those who believe.

The common thread between all these definitions is that they are of 'the mind'. Intellectual acquiescence is all that is required.

In today's world 'belief' primarily involves a thought process, one not necessarily to be reflected in behaviour.

JESUS' (JEWISH) MEANING OF BELIEF

In Jewish understanding 'belief' is not just intellectual understanding, but a 'doing' word, requiring action on behalf of the believer to confirm their belief.

Let us have a look again at John 3:16 through Jewish eyes, as Jesus understood it when He made this amazing statement. This quotation is from the Amplified Bible.

16For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten ([d]unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life. (John 3:16 Amplified)

As you can see here, 'belief' is truly a word requiring action, not just mental assent.

The word belief in the Hebrew is associated with such words as 'obey', 'hope' and 'persevere'. In a very general sense, the word.....

'Belief' in the Hebrew effectively translates to what we understand as 'discipleship' in English.

CONCLUSION

Sadly, our teaching in the church today wrongly promotes 'easy Christianity', a form of mental assent to the saving grace of Jesus, but without accompanying committed action to confirm the words we speak.

The church is not about filling pews, but of making disciples, genuine followers of Jesus who are prepared to give their life to and for Him. Jesus was quite clear in His final instruction to us. (emphasis added)

19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20)

What is your commitment to Jesus today?

Let us take this discipleship message to our church, our country, and the nations, so that the bride of Christ may make herself ready for His return.

7 Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. 8 Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.” (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.) (Revelation 19:6-8)

Amen. (from 'Aman' the Hebrew word for 'believe')

Find out more about us at.....

http://www.wwj.org.nz/about.php

FROM THE WORD

"I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, We speak only of what we know [we know absolutely what we are talking about]; we have actually seen what we are testifying to [we were eyewitnesses of it]. And still you do not receive our testimony [you reject and refuse our evidence--that of Myself and of all those who are born of the Spirit]. If I have told you of things that happen right here on the earth and yet none of you believes Me, how can you believe (trust Me, adhere to Me, rely on Me) if I tell you of heavenly things? And yet no one has ever gone up to heaven, but there is One Who has come down from heaven--the Son of Man [Himself], [b]Who is (dwells, has His home) in heaven. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert [on a pole], so must [so it is necessary that] the Son of Man be lifted up [on the cross], In order that everyone who believes in Him [who cleaves to Him, trusts Him, and relies on Him] may [c]not perish, but have eternal life and [actually] live forever! For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten ([d]unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life. or God did not send the Son into the world in order to judge (to reject, to condemn, to pass sentence on) the world, but that the world might find salvation and be made safe and sound through Him. He who believes in Him [who clings to, trusts in, relies on Him] is not judged [he who trusts in Him never comes up for judgment; for him there is no rejection, no condemnation--he incurs no damnation]; but he who does not believe (cleave to, rely on, trust in Him) is judged already [he has already been convicted and has already received his sentence] because he has not believed in and trusted in the name of the only begotten Son of God. [He is condemned for refusing to let his trust rest in Christ's name.]" (John 3:11-18 Amplified Version)

The Great Commission

"Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”" (Matthew 28:16-20)

Hallelujah!

"After this I heard what sounded like the roar of a great multitude in heaven shouting: Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for true and just are his judgments. He has condemned the great prostitute who corrupted the earth by her adulteries. He has avenged on her the blood of his servants.” And again they shouted: “Hallelujah! The smoke from her goes up for ever and ever.” The twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God, who was seated on the throne. And they cried: “Amen, Hallelujah!” Then a voice came from the throne, saying: “Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, both small and great!” Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: “Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.” (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.) Then the angel said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!’” And he added, “These are the true words of God.” At this I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “Do not do it! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” (Revelation 19:1-10)

Read the Bible (NIV Version) online at...

http://www.ibs.org/niv/index.php

***DAILY EZINE!*** 'DAVID'S DAILY DOODLINGS' Subscribe Today

Receive one of David's sayings in your mailbox each day to inspire, challenge or maybe, amuse.

To register today, simply click here ddd-on@wwj.org.nz
and press send. Then it's done!

If you have an Irish heritage, you will love the background coloring!

Should you wish, check out current and back issues (where you can also subscribe) at...

http://www.wwj.org.nz/doodlings/index.php

DAVID'S DOODLINGS

DISCIPLESHIP

214.-235. Discipleship is...

... doing the right thing because we want to, not because we are expected to.

... being a servant both to God and man.

... honouring God with body, soul and spirit.

... loving the Lord with all our heart, soul and mind.

... being 100% committed to the Lord's cause.

... putting the Lord first in all things.

... placing the Lord's desires ahead of our own.

... applying the Lord's will to our mind and emotions.

... accepting the Lord's correction graciously.

... being joyful in the Lord - even while being corrected!

... subverting our will to His.

... centred upon giving rather than receiving.

... becoming a little more like Jesus every day.

... being prepared to die for our Lord.

... honouring and worshipping God as Lord, rather than a 'holy Father Christmas.'

... being the one God would like us to be.

... placing God's needs and others godly needs ahead of our own.

... helping others attain to their ministries, even to the expense of our own.

... being Jesus to others.

... retaining the joy of the Lord in times of personal sadness.

... putting wrongs right - graciously!

... walking as one with the Lord, night and day.

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 ...

http://www.wwj.org.nz/dd.php

CRANWELLS CARTOONS

2 One evening David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing. The woman was very beautiful, 3 and David sent someone to find out about her. The man said, “Isn’t this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite?” 4 Then David sent messengers to get her. She came to him, and he slept with her. (She had purified herself from her uncleanness.) Then she went back home. (2 Samuel 11:2-4)






TO READ THIS CARTOON AND SEE
THE OTHER PICTURES IN THIS EMAIL
YOU NEED TO BE ONLINE.

Check it out at...

TUESDAY TEACHINGS

THIS WEEK: A REVELATION OF……. 3 KINGDOM AGES

Very often we get trapped, by taking for granted what we superficially see. So it was for me with the Bible. I saw the Old Testament and the New. "Well, that must be it," I thought. The Old Covenant followed by the New. It's simple, it's obvious, but it doesn't fit in with God's pattern, as I understand it.

For those who have read other of my writings will know that God works in threes. As He manifests Himself in three ways, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, (exactly how depends on whether you are a Oneness, Two-ness or Trinitarian believer!) so He normally operates in patterns of three in His dealings with us, His people. Therefore I have always had a difficulty accepting the two Testaments as reflecting God's pattern as such.

One day however, the Lord showed me that the Old Testament is not really a single entity, but can be split into two at an unexpected but logical place, as we will see shortly.

Today, as I was reading the Word, He started to show me many patterns reflecting the development of His kingdom through these three stages of His Word. It is helping me understand the whole in a way that I have not appreciated previously.

So let's embark on a journey together and see what we can find out about what God has done, what He is doing, and what He will do in the future. Each step forms a logical progression in His plan that has been in existence from before time began.

Check out all the available teachings at...

http://www.wwj.org.nz/teachings/index.php

*** ANOTHER DAILY EZINE FROM WWJ!*** 'LAUGHING AT OURSELVES' Subscribe Today

As Christians, if we can't laugh at ourselves, others will! A fun way to start your day.

To register today, simply click here lao-on@wwj.org.nz and press send. Then it's done!

Should you wish, check out early issues (where you can also subscribe) at...

http://www.wwj.org.nz/laughing/index.php

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." ***

406. MADE IT
A pastor who enjoyed bragging on his son was talking one day with a friend, who happened to be a rabbi.

The pastor said "My son was a star on his high school baseball team."
"That's nice," said the rabbi, "and after that?"

"Well," said the pastor, "after that he went to Harvard and graduated summa cum laude."
"Not bad,"said the rabbi thoughtfully, "and after that?"

"So then he went to law school at Georgetown and was editor of the law review."
"Hmmm. And after that?" asked the rabbi.

"Well, as soon as he graduated from law school, the biggest law firm in New York immediately made him a full partner!"
"Not bad. Is that all?" the rabbi quietly asked.

The pastor, clearly irritated, said, "Is that ALL! What do you expect -- that my son should become God or something?"
The rabbi shrugged and said, "Well -- one of OUR boys made it."

405. APPROPRIATE?
The Announcement: 'A new loudspeaker system has been installed in the church. It was given by one of our members in memory of his wife.'

404. MY JESUS
When Bonnie's daughter was four, they attended an Easter pageant about the death and Resurrection of Christ. The play was beautiful with magnificent costumes and scenery.

Bonnie made sure Robyn had an aisle seat so that she wouldn't miss a thing. Jesus came staggering down the aisle carrying the Cross. Big Roman soldiers pushed and shoved him.

Robyn watched with wide eyes. At the reception following the performance, one of the actors who played a Roman soldier came over to Robyn, kneeled down and quietly asked her, "Did you enjoy the play?"

Robyn wagged her finger at him and said, "You BAD man! Bad! Bad man! You hurt my Jesus!"

403. TOO TRUE
Faith, 3, went to Good Friday services. That night she prayed, "Thank You, Jesus, for dying on the Cross. And thank You we didn't have to watch!"

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 ...

http://www.wwj.org.nz/laugh.php

FACTS FOR FUN

LAST WEEKS QUESTION: How does a frog cope with freezing temperatures?

ANSWER: Frogs have several strategies for surviving winter, depending on the species. Some hibernate, slowing down their body's metabolism and ‘sleeping’ away the winter. Some aquatic hibernating frogs can even hibernate underwater! Terrestrial frogs usually hibernate on land. To avoid freezing to death, frogs have another trick: antifreeze. The frog may become frozen, but it doesn't die. It appears dead, but the high levels of glucose in its vital organs prevent complete freezing. It will stop breathing and its heart will even stop beating, but when temperatures rise, its organs will start up again. (Now why can’t I do that?)

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: How long can honey be stored and still safely eaten?

Answer Next Week.

SOME FUN FACTS

4. YOU BIG RAT!
The world's largest rodent is the ‘Capybara’. It is an Amazon water hog that looks like a guinea pig, and can weigh more than 100 pounds. (A gentle giant – really!)

5. Ashamed
Alcoholics are twice as likely to confess a drinking problem to a computer than to a doctor, say researchers in Wisconsin, US. (And computers can’t be sympathetic either.)

6. Not in Egypt
The largest pyramid in the world is not in Egypt but in Cholulu de Rivadahia, Mexico. It is 177 feet (55m) tall and covers 25 acres (11 hectares), being built sometime between 6 and 12 AD. (Well, Mexico is near to Texas, isn’t it?)

A WORD PUZZLE FOR YOU

Make another word from this word using all the letters.

HUSTLING

Answer at the end of A David Musing

FREE DOWNLOAD: You can download the full version of our Trivia Book at TRULY TRIFFLING TRIVIA

Or view all 1232 online at...

http://www.wwj.org.nz/facts.php

BIBLE QUESTION - THE KINGDOM OF GOD

10: Who will the least person in the Kingdom of God be greater than?

a. Jesus
b. John the Baptist
c. Peter
d. Andrew

Source: http://biblequizzes.org.uk

Heaps more fun and serious 'God Facts' are found at...

http://www.wwj.org.nz/gfacts.php

IF ONLY I'D THOUGHT OF IT!

"""OTHER'S SAYINGS TO ENLIGHTEN, AMUSE, OR BEMUSE"""

!!!!!!! A magician might pull rabbits out of hats. but Jesus can pull habits out of rats.

!!!!!! The flower that follows the sun does so even on cloudy days.

!!!!! I'm trying to invent a microwave television so I can watch "Gone With the Wind" in only 30 minutes. --Lawrence Brotherton

!!!! What is a mosquito's favorite sport? Skin diving

!!! Are dog biscuits made from collie flour?

!! If you cut yourself, rub thyme into the cut, because thyme heals all wounds.

! Some power saws are a cut above the rest.

100'S MORE TO BE FOUND AT...

http://www.wwj.org.nz/thought.php

JUST JOKES

207. ABSTACT
"An abstract noun," the teacher said, "is something you can think of, but you can't touch it. Can you give me an example of one?"

"Sure," a teenage boy replied. "My father's new car."

206. HOLDING?
Little Johnny asked his grandma how old she was.

Grandma answered, "Thirty-nine and holding."

Johnny thought for a moment, then said, "And how old would you be if you let go?"

205. SUPPORT
The prospective father-in-law asked, "Young man, can you support a family?"
The surprised groom-to-be replied, "Well, no. I was just planning to support your daughter. The rest of you will have to fend for yourselves."

204. STEVEN WRIGHT AGAIN
Smoking cures weight problems...eventually...

My roommate got a pet elephant. Then it got lost. It's in the apartment somewhere.

Laughing stock: Cattle with a sense of humour.

I poured Spot remover on my dog. Now he's gone.

When I was in boy scouts, I slipped on the ice and hurt my ankle. A little old lady had to help me across the street.

I wear my heart on my sleeve. I wear my liver on my pant leg.

The sun never sets on the British Empire. But it rises every morning. The sky must get awfully crowded.

I plugged my phone in where the blender used to be. I called someone. They went "Aaaaahhhh..."

I got a chain letter by fax. It's very simple. You just fax a dollar bill to everybody on the list.

If you can wave a fan, and you can wave a club, can you wave a fan club?

I bought a million lottery tickets. I won a dollar.

203. MUSICAL BEE
The summer band class was just getting under way when a large insect flew into the room.

The sixth-graders, eager to play their shiny new instruments, tried to ignore the buzzing intruder, but eventually one student could stand it no more. He rolled up his music book and swatted the insect, then he stomped on it to ensure its fate.

"Is it a bee?" another student asked.

"Nope," he replied. "It's a bee flat."

Laugh - relax - enjoy jokes here.....

http://www.wwj.org.nz/jokes.php

BIBLE TRIVIA (Famous Words and Phrases)

THE FAT OF THE LAND

The promise made by Pharoah to Joseph and his brothers for provision when the family arrived in Egypt during the famine there.

Adapted from: '1001 Surprising Things You Should Know About The Bible' MacGregor & Prys

Messianic Pastor says Truth 'Not Being Told' in Middle East Conflict

By Michael Ireland
Senior Correspondent, ASSIST News Service

JERUSALEM (ANS) -- The pastor of Jerusalem's largest Messianic congregation says the truth about the Palestinian Authority's recent push for statehood isn't being told -- and he intends to change that.

Stefanie Schartel writing for www.charismanews.com reports that Wayne Hilsden, senior pastor of King of Kings Community, says most Palestinian Israelis living in Jerusalem would rather remain under the current Israeli government's jurisdiction than a newly recognized Palestinian state.

Schartel writes that Hilsden cited a recent survey conducted in partnership with Israel's Council on Foreign Relations, which found that 35 percent of Jerusalem's Arab residents would prefer to remain Israeli citizens -- and even more would be willing to relocate if their neighborhoods became part of a Palestinian state.

"It's a message that most of the world is not hearing," says Hilsden. "And the fact that Palestinians themselves, for the most part, are not overwhelmingly supportive of Palestinian state should tell the rest of the world that maybe a Palestinian state is not the answer to this problem."

Of the remaining Arab residents surveyed by the council, 30 percent wish to live under a Palestinian state, and 35 percent would not provide responses, Schartel reports.

But, according to Schartel, Hilsden, who has lived in Jerusalem since 1983, says it's the last segment -- those who won't respond -- that proves how complex this issue really is.

Schartel writes that Hilsden says Arab pastors who work closely within the Palestinian territories have found the majority of Arabs would rather be under Israeli rule, but many are afraid to publicly side with the Jewish nation.

"Israel treats them as equal citizens," Hilsden says. "They're able to get social benefits that they would never get under Palestinian rule. And if you go to most of the surrounding countries where Arabs live today, you'll see that they're living at a lower standard of living than Palestinians living in east Jerusalem and the so-called territories."

Schartel says Hilsden leads a community of Jewish and Arab believers in the heart of the world's most important city and has seen up-close how the international media has misrepresented not only recent events in Israel and reactions from local, but also the supposed "Arab spring" sweeping across the Middle East that has resulted in government upheaval.

"What most people in the West don't understand is this is not like the iron curtain falling; it's not like glasnost -- it's not suddenly people want democracy and freedom," he says.

"There are elements of people that simply want to have a good job and be able to put food on the table, and they see the huge dichotomy between the rich and the poor in the Arab world -- and they're fed up with that. So they want human rights. But there's also a huge stream of [Islamic extremists] behind this who are taking advantage of the uprising and actually taking control in some areas. And they actually are getting to the point where they're going to lead much of the Middle East into a more autocratic type situation than a democratic type situation."

Schartel goes on to say that such an approach is disconcerting to Hilsden, who sees an autocratic situation resulting in less freedom. He believes this would make both sides less likely to compromise and come to a peaceful agreement.

"We're talking about Allah and we're talking about Islam and it's not a religion that compromises. They believe in their truth and if its truth, then its uncompromising truth. And so I would say in the natural, peace is less likely the outcome from these uprisings," Hilsden said.

Because of this, Schartel says, Hilsden believes prayer is more essential now than ever. In 2007, King of Kings Community established a Prayer Tower in which teams of believers pray almost continually throughout the week. "The answer is in Jesus the Messiah and the Savior of the world. And we believe the answer is prayer," he says.

Hilsden stated: "It's going to take a change in the human heart, the individual's heart to change the Middle East . We want to be able to send a message to the church as well throughout the Middle East that this is impossible without the power of the Holy Spirit operating through our ministries . There is no way you can deal with the demonic forces that are hovering above the Middle East without a greater power, which is the power of the Holy Spirit."

Meanwhile, author and Middle East expert, Joel C. Rosenberg, who has written Epicenter, Inside the Revolution, The Twelfth Imam, and whose new book, The Tehran Initiative will be released Oct.22, says that on the anniversary of the 1973 Yom Kippur War, a new poll finds Israelis feel more secure than ever -- yet they are fully aware they face a "gathering storm."

Rosenberg points out that Yom Kippur -- the Day of Atonement -- the holiest day in Judaism, begins at sundown, Friday, Oct.7.

He writes: "On this day in 1973, Israel received a terrifying surprise attack from her Arab neighbors that nearly destroyed the Jewish State. Israelis vowed never to be caught off guard again. They have taken concrete and expensive steps to improve their security.

"A new poll just released in Israel suggests those steps are working. Israelis today feel more secure than ever before in their modern history, even as they are fully aware of new threats rising against them that some call a "gathering storm."

The poll was commissioned by the Israeli newspaper Yediot Aharanot. It was analyzed in a story in the New York Times.

Excerpts:
** On the one hand, "45 percent [of Israelis] said they feared for the survival of Israel as a Jewish state."

** "Two-thirds of the respondents said there was no chance -- ever -- of achieving peace with the Palestinians."

** "But asked if Israel was a good place to live, 88 percent said yes."

** "As Sima Kadmon, a political columnist at the newspaper [Yediot Aharanot], wrote, 'In other words, nearly half of the Jewish public lives with a feeling of existential threat, doesn't believe there will ever be peace, and despite that, is feeling good.'"

** Still, not everyone in Israel feels secure. The Haaretz newspaper published an editorial with the headline "This new year, the clouds are gathering."

Source: (ANS) www.assistnews.net

via openheaven.com

DAVID'S DOWNLOAD

VICTORY

A poetic version of my spiritual journey. I’ve started but am yet to complete! A challenge and goal for me and maybe you too!

Check it out and download your free PDF File here.....

http://www.wwj.org.nz/pdf/2p55.pdf

WAXING LYRICAL

My mind is abuzz with lots of different noise as I sit here writing this. A band practicing next door for a ball tonight (Saturday), radio going in the shop, people speaking to me, a Christian conference streaming from the internet! Bombarded with noise! Any wonder my brain is addled! This has been the result. Hope it makes some sense to you!

non(SENSE)

Name is Tait.
Life is great.
Something I ate?
Don't know mate!

A nonsense rhyme!
Basil and thyme.
A taste divine.
It's all thine!

Catch the drift?
Mind miffed.
Spirit to lift.
Paradigm shift.

God is good.
He could,
If you would.
Understood?

Excuse the rave.
Jesus does save.
No more a slave.
Mind to behave.

Nomination!
Salvation!
Maturation!
Graduation!

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

More of David's offerings at...

http://www.wwj.org.nz/waxing.php

A DAVID MUSING

A week of ups and downs for New Zealand.

We have had a container ship stuck just offshore on a reef which appears to be breaking in half and is leaking oil over some of our most pristine beaches in the seaside resort of Mount Maunganui, where Kathy and I lived before shifting to Napier. Added to a mine collapse and 2 earthquakes 'God's own country' has taken a battering in recent times.

However, on Sunday evening, all was forgotten as the country celebrated our All Blacks qualification for the final of the Rugby World Cup for the first time in a very long 24 years, beating arch (sporting) foes, Australia! We will meet France in the final, who just sneaked past a gallant Wales in the other semi-final. 'Won't even be a contest' says he confidently!

When we do win, the government will most likely get re-elected next month, and maybe, people will start spending again!

The question this raises is, does the community affects the church or vice versa. Sadly most of the time the first is the reality.

How is it in your community? Are you influencing the people or is society controlling you?

Photo of Rena on Reef.

Until next week.......

MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD.

His servant and yours

David Tait

Today's 'Word Puzzle' Answer: SUNLIGHT

TODAY'S 'BIBLE QUESTION' ANSWER: 9a. The poor. (Luke 6:20)

REPRODUCTION OF NEWSLETTER CONTENT

Most weeks we get enquiries about reproducing, in electronic or print form, articles contained in 'PGIM!' We welcome and encourage you to utilize this material. Freely received, freely given. We would ask though, that the source be acknowledged as an encouragement to others to subscribe to this newsletter also.

Subscription opportunities are available here Subscribe Here

at the bottom of each newsletter or at...
https://www.macnet.co.nz/wwjesus/pay.html

CHANGING YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS? NEWSLETTER STOPS COMING?

Each week we can lose up to 2% of our readers when they change email addresses without letting us know. Or sometimes, by your server acting strangely and just cutting us off! If you are about to change your address, please advise us of both your old and new addresses here at
enquiries@wwj.org.nz and we will happily change our records to ensure ongoing delivery. Thanks.

Please also keep our address in your address book, as sometimes servers will automatically delete your address if there is even a one off problem in delivery. If your newsletter doesn't arrive, please let us know and we will reinstate you.

LINKS

If you would like to link your web site to ours, and ours to yours, please advise us on
links@wwj.org.nz

DOES THIS EMAIL HAVE A BLUE BACKGROUND AND RED HEADINGS?

YES - Great!
NO - Your web browser needs to be set to 'Rich Text'. If you have an older 'Text Only' browser, this email may also be viewed on our web site at ...

http://www.wwj.org.nz/wwword.php

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 website
wwj.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