SUCCESS OR SUBMISSION?

This is certainly one area where the understandings of the 'church' and the 'kingdom' hugely diverge.

In the church, 'success' is primarily judged by size, by 'bums on seats'! Or perhaps, the 'size of the sanctuary'. Or the 'level of giving'. Or 'how many converts in the past year'. All physical signs of the effectiveness or otherwise of a church.

One of the first things we almost automatically do when meeting a pastor for the first time is to ask, "How large is your church?" I have been as guilty of this as anyone!

We are like the Pharisees, seeking show rather than substance......

25 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. 26 Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean. 27 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and everything unclean. 28 In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness. (Matthew 23:25-8)

Such superficial, physical based orientations, keep both ourselves, and others, from entering the kingdom.....

12 For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. 13 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to. (Matthew 23:12-13)

So what is God looking for in His kingdom people?

At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 2 He called a little child and had him stand among them. 3 And he said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 18:1-4)

What are (or should be!) the characteristics of a child?

First of all, submission, obedience to the will of their parents.

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— 3 “that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” (Ephesians 6:1-2)

Children follow the example of their parents and we are to follow the example of Jesus.....

28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. (Matthew 11:28-9)

Including obedience to the Father.....

31 but the world must learn that I love the Father and that I do exactly what my Father has commanded me. (John 14:31)

We are to look after members of our family.....

4 But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God. (1 Timothy 5:4)

Having a right and holy lifestyle as a testimony to others.....

14 Do everything without complaining or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe (Philippians 2:14-15)

In essence, while we look to the outward physical, as a measurement of success, God looks to the inward character of His people.

This is, of course, hard to measure in concrete terms. We are not to look at buildings, membership, programmes or position as measurements of success in the kingdom. But rather, at the character of kingdom people.....

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-3)

For the kingdom of God is not found in the physical, but in the lives of His kingdom people.

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)

May we change our definition of success from grandeur to submission, today.

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FROM THE WORD

Seven Woes

"Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. So you must obey them and do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. They tie up heavy loads and put them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them. “Everything they do is done for men to see: They make their phylacteries wide and the tassels on their garments long; they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; they love to be greeted in the marketplaces and to have men call them ‘Rabbi.’ “But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have only one Master and you are all brothers. And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. Nor are you to be called ‘teacher,’ for you have one Teacher, the Christ. The greatest among you will be your servant. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to. “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as you are. “Woe to you, blind guides! You say, ‘If anyone swears by the temple, it means nothing; but if anyone swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath.’ You blind fools! Which is greater: the gold, or the temple that makes the gold sacred? You also say, ‘If anyone swears by the altar, it means nothing; but if anyone swears by the gift on it, he is bound by his oath.’ You blind men! Which is greater: the gift, or the altar that makes the gift sacred? Therefore, he who swears by the altar swears by it and by everything on it. And he who swears by the temple swears by it and by the one who dwells in it. And he who swears by heaven swears by God’s throne and by the one who sits on it. “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel. “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean. “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness. “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You build tombs for the prophets and decorate the graves of the righteous. And you say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our forefathers, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.’ So you testify against yourselves that you are the descendants of those who murdered the prophets. Fill up, then, the measure of the sin of your forefathers! “You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape being condemned to hell? Therefore I am sending you prophets and wise men and teachers. Some of them you will kill and crucify; others you will flog in your synagogues and pursue from town to town. And so upon you will come all the righteous blood that has been shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Berekiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. I tell you the truth, all this will come upon this generation. “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing. Look, your house is left to you desolate. For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’”" (Matthew 23:1-39)

Life by the Spirit

"So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law. The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

Doing Good to All
Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, for each one should carry his own load. Anyone who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with his instructor. Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers." (Galatians 5:16 - 6:10)

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DAVID'S DOODLINGS

HOLINESS

1001. Holiness is not found in living to the letter of the Law, but reflected through the living law of our life.

1002. Holiness is an attitude reflected in behaviour.

1003. Holiness comes, as we let the hold on our lives, go.

1004. The 'Law of Holiness' needs to be written in our hearts and applied through our will.

1005. Holiness grows as we walk hand in hand with Jesus.

1006. Every day is to be a 'holy-day'

1007. Holiness is a way of life, not a doctrine.

1008. Holiness grows as my will goes.

1009. To walk on the path of holiness I need Jesus at my side.

1010. Holiness is tough, but hell, deadly!

1011. Life is a game, living holiness the aim.

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CRANWELLS CARTOONS

18-19 Although many people from Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun had not purified themselves for the feast, they ate the Passover even though it was against the law. So Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, “Lord, you are good. You are the Lord, the God of our ancestors. Please forgive all those who try to obey you even if they did not make themselves clean as the rules of the Temple command.” (2 Chronicles 30:18-19 NCV)








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TUESDAY TEACHINGS

THIS WEEK: 3 KINGDOM AGES
THE KINGDOM'S REACH

We are going to see how God's group of chosen people expanded through the 3 ages from family to nation, to the whole world today - if only we will believe.

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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." ***

416. CUSSING DEACON
A Preacher was made aware that he had a Deacon in his church who was from time to time known to cuss.

In his attempt to help the Deacon overcome this terrible habit, the Preacher decided he should spend some personal time with the Deacon so they could have a long talk about the problem. The Preacher decided to ask the Deacon to go fishin' thinking that might provide
an opportunity to talk.

They were out in a boat and had their lines in the water when the Preacher hooked a big one. It put up a mighty fight, but finally he reeled the fish up to the edge of the boat. It was the biggest fish the preacher had ever caught. But, just as the minister started to pull his catch into the boat, the fish slipped off the hook and got away.

Thoroughly disgusted, the Preacher looked over and said, "Deacon, somethin' needs to be said here!"

415. GOOD.....
Somebody has well said that there are only two kinds of people in world,
there are those who wake up in the morning and say ................
"Good morning, Lord," and there are those who wake up in the morning and
say,
"Good Lord, it's morning."

414. THE FIG TREE
Mark took his elderly maiden-Aunt Lucy for a drive, and pointed out a fig tree as one of the sights.

"Fig tree?" exclaimed Aunt Lucy. "That cannot be a fig tree for goodness sakes!"

"Of course it is," Mark insisted. "What makes you think it's not?"

Blushing so red she nearly glowed, Aunt Lucy said, "Well... I just thought... surely the leaves must be bigger than that!"

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FACTS FOR FUN

LAST WEEKS QUESTION: What is a group of flamingos called?

ANSWER: A pat. (Got that down pat!)

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: How many sweat glands do we have in our body?

Answer Next Week.

SOME FUN FACTS

1195. ANIMAL ACTIVITY
Right now as you are reading this, more than 100,000 creatures are swimming, feeding, reproducing and depositing waste inside your mouth. (It’s no wonder then that so much drivel comes out!)

1196. PLANNED OBSOLESCENCE?
The average life span of a major league baseball: 7 pitches. (Presumably only 1 if it is hit – my pitching would be expensive!)

1197. COCONUT KILLERS
More people are killed each year by coconuts than sharks. (It is safer to look heavenward than earthward if you are worried about this – is best too, even if you aren’t!)

A WORD PUZZLE FOR YOU

Make another word from this word using all the letters.

STEELING

Answer at the end of A David Musing

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BIBLE QUESTION - THE KINGDOM OF GOD

13: What will happen before the Kingdom of God is established?

a. The believers go to heaven
b. Christ destroys death
c. The devil will gather his army
d. The resurrection of the dead

Source: http://biblequizzes.org.uk

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IF ONLY I'D THOUGHT OF IT!

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

!!!!!!! He who slings mud generally loses ground.

!!!!!! Honest criticism is hard to take, particularly from a relative, a friend, an acquaintance, or a stranger.

!!!!! I cannot do everything, but I can still do something.

!!!! If opportunity doesn't knock, build a door.

!!! Make sure you have finished speaking before your audience has finished listening.

!! Measure your wealth not by the things you have, but by the things you have for which you would not take money.

! The reason a dog has so many friends is that he wags his tail and not his tongue.

100'S MORE TO BE FOUND AT...

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WHY?

109. Why are there interstate highways in Hawaii?

110. Why are there flotation devices under plane seats instead of parachutes?

111. Why are cigarettes sold in gas stations when smoking is prohibited there?

112. Why do fat chance and slim chance mean the same thing?

113. Do you need a silencer if you are going to shoot a mime?

114. Have you ever imagined a world with no hypothetical situations?

115. How does the guy who drives the snowplough get to work in the mornings?

116. If 7-11 is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, why are there locks on the doors?

117. If you're in a vehicle going the speed of light, what happens when you turn on the headlights?

118. Why do they put Braille dots on the keypad of the drive-up ATM?

119. Why isn't "palindrome" spelled the same way backwards?

120. Why is it that when you transport something by car, it's called a shipment, but when you transport something by ship, it's called cargo?

121. You know that little indestructible black box that is used on planes, why can't they make the whole plane out of the same substance?

122. Why is it that when you're driving and looking for an address, you turn down the volume on the radio?

123. If you have your finger touching the rearview mirror that says - "objects in mirror are closer than they appear", how can that be possible?

124. Why is it so hard to remember how to spell MNEMONIC?

125. If someone invented instant water, what would they mix it with?

126. Why is it called a TV "set" when you only get one?

127. Why does your nose run and your feet smell?

128. Why does an alarm clock "go off" when it begins ringing?

129. If pro is the opposite of con, is progress the opposite of congress?

130. Why does "cleave" mean both split apart and stick together?

131. Why is it, whether you sit up or sit down, the result is the same?

132. Why are people who ride motorcycles called bikers and people who ride bikes called cyclists?

133. If you keep trying to prove Murphy's Law, will something keep going wrong?

134. Why does flammable and inflammable mean the same thing?

135. How can someone "draw a blank"?

136. Shouldn't there be a shorter word for "monosyllabic"?

137. Why is the word "abbreviate" so long?

270 of lifes imponderable questions here.....

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BIBLE TRIVIA (Strange and Amazing Facts)

IT WASN'T UNTIL THE 16TH CENTURY.....

..... many years after the Bible was first published, that it was divided into the chapters and verses we see today.

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

Many Christians concerned about same sex marriage.

Published: November 7th, 2011

A new poll by ComRes has found that a massive 83% of church-going Christians in the UK are opposed to plans by the Conservative Party to legalise homosexual marriage, and 57% of all respondents are ‘less likely to vote’ for the party because of this move.

The poll results are likely to be viewed as very concerning by the Conservative Party, as church-going Christians represent several million votes.

The poll, commissioned by Premier Christian Media, found that:

*** 83% were opposed to homosexual marriage, with 75% ‘strongly opposed’;

*** 93% were concerned that clergy would have to conduct homosexual marriages against their consciences;

*** 85% that the value of marriage would be further undermined;

*** 88% that schools would be required to teach the equal validity of same-sex and heterosexual relationships; and

*** 78% that it would be harder to argue against ‘other novel types of relationship’ such as polygamy.

Incredibly, not one single respondent claimed that this move would make them more disposed to vote Conservative.

Andrea Minichiello Williams, CEO of Christian Concern, said: “God has ordained that marriage is between one man and one woman. The homosexual lobby wants to change this definition and force this change on the general public. Yet most Christians will always hold onto and proclaim the truths revealed in the Bible. These truths are timeless and are for the benefit of mankind. We ignore them at our peril.”

Blogger Cranmer noted that:

“The Conservatives have historically got the lion's share of the Christian vote. If the party were to lose millions of these, the boycott/exodus would represent a seismic psephological shift which would certainly lose the party the next general election ... Considering that he lost the last general election by just 16,000 votes, his [David Cameron’s] strategy seems incomprehensible.”

via christianconcern.com

via openheaven.com

DAVID'S DOWNLOAD

THE POWER OF THREE

A brief look at the amazing way both God and HIS Church are patterned in three’s. An insight to the past present and future.

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WAXING LYRICAL

What will the new year bring? Seems as appropriate for 2012 as it was for 2009! Little did Kathy and I know what this year would bring on 31 October! Nearly was 'over Rover'.

2009

Running out of time,
Another year's over,
A lemon or a lime?
It's over Rover!

Can't change the past,
Memories will last.
Of good things done,
Others, not begun.

2009's nearly here
Let us be of good cheer,
And not turn the recession,
Into personal depression.

Money may well be tight,
But there's still light,
Jesus is ever on the throne,
No matter how much we groan.

Come into His presence,
Experience the essence,
Of His grace and glory,
In the heavenly story.

"Rest in my goodness,
With thankfulness,
For I am the Lord,
Me you can afford.

I am always here for you,
Will ever see you through,
You're in the palm of my hand,
With me, forever you'll stand.

Come now and rest in me,
One plus one is three,
My love for you is always free,
Accept it, then you will see.

One day the world will end,
Eternity with me to spend,
But now, come build my kingdom here on earth,
You're my precious pearl, beyond all worth."

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A DAVID MUSING

It is now nearly two weeks on since, without being too dramatic about it, our brush with death. Most of my 58 stitches and staples have been removed from my head and arm. The remainder of the stitches inside my head will be dissolving - or so I am told. Maybe I am being held together by string! LOL. Kathy's bruises are disappearing and we are both back at work. We do get a little more tired than normal, but that is to be expected. Emotionally, the power of forgiveness works wonders. Life moves on.

One lesson we have learned is that you can never be sure what is going to happen in the next 5 minutes, let alone day, week, month or year!

We all need to our wrongs to rights, to tell others we love and care for them, to say the good things we save for funerals to friends and family - now. Above all, we need to make our peace with Jesus, for we do not know the moment when it will be too late!

How are your relationships today?

Until next week.......

MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD.

His servant and yours

David Tait

Today's 'Word Puzzle' Answer: STEELING

TODAY'S 'BIBLE QUESTION' ANSWER: d. The resurrection of the dead. (1 Corinthians 15:20-27)

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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 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!

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