PREACH, TEACH OR 'TREACH'?

We saw last week that, unlike today's 'sermons', both Jesus and Paul interacted with their 'audience' when they spoke.

As mentioned then, our concept of 'preaching' was initiated by the Roman Catholic Church, where there was a 'set-apart priesthood', which naturally fostered a 'lecturing to' rather than a 'talking with' approach, which is more in line with the 'priesthood of all believers' understanding of the Protestant revelation.

Being brutally honest, many of us males of the species, love the perceived prestige of sermonising! Of course, there are limits to what we can say, or congregants may 'vote with their feet', but giving instruction and advice to others on how to live life gives a sense of power and status, one of an honoured position in society. It is really easy to see why we have kept this concept of one way communication alive and active, due to its human appeal, even after the Reformation revelation and right through to today. Human vanity is powerful!

Congregants too, must also take responsibility! For it is easier to go along and sit through a good or bad sermon, without having to make the effort to think and interrelate with the preacher, before going home for Sunday lunch, our spiritual obligation fulfilled for another week!

BIBLICAL MENTIONS OF TEACHING AND PREACHING

Did you know that there is only 1 man described as a 'preacher' in the Bible (NIV)? And that was Noah. (2 Peter 2:5). Let's face it, he wasn't listened to either! For only his family ended up on the Ark!

On the other hand, the description 'teacher' however, is used 68 times, including 49 in the Gospels and a further 4 in the Epistles.

Similarly, preaching is not considered to be a 'ministry gift', while teaching is.

11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12 to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. (Ephesians 4:11-13)

MEANING OF PREACHING AND TEACHING

Unfortunately our concept of the meaning of 'preach' is dictated by experience. But is it Biblically correct?

There are a number of Greek words that have been (sometimes incorrectly) translated as preach. Without going into detail, the primary meaning of these Greek words is to 'proclaim'. Generally, to proclaim a known truth. Interestingly, a large part of the difference between 'proclaiming' and 'teaching' is the element of time.

Preaching or proclaiming, without interaction, as we saw last week in our look at Jewish Synagogue worship services, took only a few minutes. Quite dissimilar to our practice. Longer presentations were regarded as 'teaching', and involved interaction.

As far as we are aware, Jesus never preached a sermon, in the way we understand a sermon to be. He both briefly proclaimed the Gospel (no interaction) and, at the same time, taught the truths in greater detail (involving interaction).

Nearly always, Jesus 'preached and teached'. You could say He 'TREACHED'! (ie. preached/teached)

23 Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. (Matthew 4:23)

After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee. (Matthew 11:1)

This combination of preaching and teaching was also to be the duty of elders.

17 The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. (1 Timothy 5:17)

A CALL TO ACTION

Too much of our preaching and teaching is presented from an academic perspective. While knowledge is good to have, it is sad, empty, and useless, without action, without life change.

Jesus was a simple presenter of the message of the Gospel. He used relevant, practical parables to make His points. The kingdom parables used everyday examples to illustrate precious kingdom truths. Just one of many examples is.....

33 He told them still another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into a large amount of flour until it worked all through the dough.” (Matthew 13:33)

Jesus did not discuss the finer (or any!) points of the correctness or otherwise of a pre-trib or post-trib rapture! He hated the ways of the Pharisees who got into such senseless discussions of detailed theology that serve no purpose other than to confuse. Hypocrisy abounded then, as it does now. Man made theology is a curse of the kingdom.

7 You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you: 8 ”‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. 9 They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.’” (Matthew 15:7-9)

Jesus fed the people, healed them of their sicknesses, challenged them to live righteous lives, and to obey the Father's will. His ministry was practical, down to earth, requiring action, not one of mere philosophical acceptance.

SUMMING UP

While a case can be made for preaching (proclaiming) the Gospel truths to unbelievers, the ineffectiveness of our current method of 'preaching a non-interactive 20-60 minute sermon' to a passive audience of believers, Sunday after Sunday, is neither effective nor scriptural.

But what options are there? If you have any suggestions, please drop me an email on david@wwj.org.nz this week so we can consider them next week when we look at more effective, and scriptural, alternatives to the current system.

(To be continued.)

Find out more about us at.....

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

FROM THE WORD

Jesus Heals the Sick

"Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed, and he healed them. Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed him." (Matthew 4:23-5)

"The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, “Do not muzzle the ox while it is treading out the grain,” and “The worker deserves his wages.” Do not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses. Those who sin are to be rebuked publicly, so that the others may take warning. I charge you, in the sight of God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, to keep these instructions without partiality, and to do nothing out of favoritism." (1 Timothy 5:17-21)

Clean and Unclean

"Then some Pharisees and teachers of the law came to Jesus from Jerusalem and asked, “Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They don’t wash their hands before they eat!” Jesus replied, “And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition? For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother’ and ‘Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.’ But you say that if a man says to his father or mother, ‘Whatever help you might otherwise have received from me is a gift devoted to God,’ 6 he is not to ‘honor his father’ with it. Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition. You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you: ”‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.’” Jesus called the crowd to him and said, “Listen and understand. What goes into a man’s mouth does not make him ‘unclean,’ but what comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him ‘unclean.’” Then the disciples came to him and asked, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this?” He replied, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots. Leave them; they are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.” Peter said, “Explain the parable to us.” “Are you still so dull?” Jesus asked them. “Don’t you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body? But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man ‘unclean.’ For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. These are what make a man ‘unclean’; but eating with unwashed hands does not make him ‘unclean.’”" (Matthew 15:1-20)

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

TRUTH AND KNOWLEDGE

451. Knowledge is relative, truth absolute. Problems arise when we confuse the two.

452. If I have all knowledge in the world but have not the truth, I am as nothing.

453. Computers are able to process endless knowledge, but only humans can discern truth.

454. God created mankind to live in His truth. Satan’s temptation is to live in earthly knowledge. Which will we choose?

455. Satan was the first to substitute knowledge for truth. His plan hasn’t changed.

456. Knowledge is subject to rust and decay, but truth is golden.

457. Seek knowledge to wander, but truth to wonder at God’s great glory.

458. Worldly knowledge fills our brain, but godly understanding fulfils our life.

459. All the knowledge in the world will be of no worth on the Day of Judgement.

460. Knowledge puffs up, truth humbles.

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

10 they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him. 11 While the beggar held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon’s Colonnade. 12 When Peter saw this, he said to them: “Men of Israel, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? 13 The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus. You handed him over to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate, though he had decided to let him go. 14 You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. 15 You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this. 16 By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see. 17 “Now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did your leaders. 18 But this is how God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, saying that his Christ would suffer. 19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, 20 and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus. 21 He must remain in heaven until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets. (Acts 3:10-21)









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: 3 KINGDOM AGES
MEASUREMENT OF SUCCESS

One of the greatest misunderstandings in the church today relates to the definition of success in our walk with Jesus.

There has changed with each kingdom age. The major problem is that we forget which kingdom age we now live in!

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." ***

425. I BEG YOUR PARDON
And Jesus said unto the Seminary's Advanced Theology Class, "And whom do you say that I am?"

They replied, "You are the eschatological manifestation of the ground of our being, the ontological foundation of the context of our very selfhood revealed."

And Jesus replied, "I beg your pardon!"

424. EVE AND ADAM
One day, Eve was walking in the garden with the Lord. She said, "Lord, the garden is wonderful, and the animals and birds provide such joy, but I am still lonely sometimes."

"No problem!" the Lord replied. "I will make you a man for a companion. He will desire to please you and to be with you. But I have to warn you, he won't be perfect. He'll have a difficult time understanding your feelings, will tend to think only of himself, and will stay out late with his bowling buddies."

"What's bowling?" Eve asked.

"Oh... never mind. I was just getting ahead of myself, sorry."

"That's OK. I think I can handle this 'man'," Eve replied.

"Great, I'll get right to it!" God said, and started grabbing some mud and shaping it.

Suddenly, the Lord stopped and said to Eve, "Oh, there's one other thing about this man I'm making for you."

"What's that?" asked Eve.

"You'll have to tell him he was here first."

423. GLADYS DUNN
Our old friend Gladys Dunn attended church services one particular Sunday. The sermon seemed to go on forever, and many in the congregation fell asleep.

After the service, Gladys walked up to a very sleepy looking gentleman. In an attempt to be sociable, Gladys extended her hand in greeting, and said, "Hello, I'm Gladys Dunn."

To which the gentleman replied, "You're not the only one!"

(My mother's maiden name was Lilian Dunn - not the same!)

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: Who invented Khaki military uniforms?

ANSWER: The light-yellowish brown cloth, used generally for military uniforms, gets its name from the Persian word ‘khak’, meaning ‘dust’ or ‘ashes’. The word ‘khaki’ can be used to refer to the colour, the cloth, or the garment made from the cloth. Lt. Harry Burnett of the Queen's Own Corp of Guides developed the cloth in 1846. The goal was to produce a mud-coloured uniform that would camouflage English soldiers attempting to hide in dusty areas. (To help stop soldiers prematurely returning to ‘ashes to ashes and dust to dust’.)

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: Why do we call twins who are attached to each other physically, ‘Siamese twins’?

Answer Next Week.

SOME FUN FACTS

1186. CHECK IT OUT - LONGHAND!
111,111,111 x 111,111,111 = 12,345,678,987,654,321 (What goes up , must come down!)

1187. DANGEROUS OCCUPATIONS
In 1996 more people died on the job working in advertising than in the petroleum refining industry. (A fact that isn’t well advertised!)

1188. ‘KINGLY KARDS’
Each king in a deck of playing cards represents a great king from history. The French say Spades - King David; Clubs - Alexander the Great; Hearts -Charlemagne; and Diamonds - Julius Caesar. Alternatively, the King of clubs may have represented the arms of the Pope; spades, king of France; diamonds, king of Spain; and hearts, England. (They all dug with spades, swung clubs, won hearts and collected diamonds!)

A WORD PUZZLE FOR YOU

Make another word from this word using all the letters.

GLIBNESS

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

A SELF-EVALUATION PAPER FOR PASTORS By Rodney W. Francis.

NOTE FROM DAVID: Over the next while we will be including questions from this excellent, thought provoking, self - analysis questionnaire prepared by my friend Rodney. I recommend this highly to all who are involved in pastoring.

.............

Pastoring is a very challenging calling, and one that often has many demands placed upon it by people battling through problems and circumstances in life that they would prefer not to have. It is therefore very important that the office of a Pastor is filled by those who have the call of God to be Pastors. We have observed that people with the gifting of an Evangelist often finish up Pastoring. Yet Evangelists do not make good Pastors ~ it is a very different gifting.

This paper is an honest attempt to help those who are Pastoring to be more sure of their calling in God. When we know the will of God ~ and are walking in that will ~ then our lives and ministries will be much more fruitful. Pastoring is a calling, a gifting, not an occupation. I Pastored churches for 25 years, as well as pioneered several others, before God clearly called me into a full-time faith ministry at the beginning of the year 2000, so I do have an understanding of the things a Pastor goes through. My heart is to see Pastors fulfill their calling and destiny ~ that of nurturing and shepherding the people God entrusts to them ~ and to bring them to a place where they can be released to fulfill their calling and destiny as well (Ephesians 4:11-16).

May the following questions help you to clarify more of the call of God on your life, so you will be more effective than ever in the days ahead. There is no greater privilege in this life than to be called of God to a specific task, and to be fulfilling it. It also carries a huge responsibility, because Pastors are answerable to God for the way they treat and lead their people.

YOUR CALLING AND MINISTRY (Continued):

What is your stance on Prophetic Ministry?

Do you preach and teach the importance of the voice of God being listened to, and the Gifts of the Holy Spirit being a part of the life of your church and people?

If you do promote the Prophetic Ministry, what are some of the benefits you see in the life of your church?

If you do not promote the exercising of the Spiritual Gifts, what are your reasons for that?

How secure are you as a Pastor?

Are you secure in your calling, or are you “hiding behind” your positional authority?
(This is more important than you may realize).

If you are not secure in your calling, why do you think that is?

How do you handle criticism?

Have you observed the way you re-act to criticism when it comes (for it surely comes to all in Leadership positions)?

Your fellow-labourer in the harvest field of Jesus,

Rodney W. Francis.

Founder/Director: The Gospel Faith Messenger Ministry
(Commenced April 1964)

(To be continued next week.)

Please note that you will find a number of good articles on our Website. Feel free to download and use as you want to.

http://www.gospel.org.nz

BIBLE QUESTION - THE KINGDOM OF GOD

16: What does Paul say the Kingdom of God is about?

a. Righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit
b. True worship and joy in the Lord
c. Truth and eternal peace
d. Loving kindness in your hearts

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"""

!!!!!!! If at first you don't succeed, sky diving is not for you.

!!!!!! Never ask a barber if he thinks you need a haircut.

!!!!! Good judgement comes from bad experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgement.

!!!! The quickest way to double your money is to fold it in half and put it back in your pocket.

!!! A closed mouth gathers no foot.

!! Generally speaking, you aren't learning much when your mouth is moving.

! Don't be irreplaceable; if you can't be replaced, you can't be promoted.

100'S MORE TO BE FOUND AT...

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

LIFE'S A LAUGH

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."

140. CHECKING IT OUT
We had spent the day moving from our farmhouse into our new house in town.

Early the next morning, a Saturday, our 3 1/2-year-old ran into our bedroom to wake us up.

I dressed him and told him to play in the yard and to quit bothering us.

About 20 minutes later, he came running back.

"Mommy, Mommy," he exclaimed, "everybody has doorbells - and they all work."

141. IMPORTED
The customer in the Italian restaurant was so pleased that he asked to speak to the chef. The owner proudly led him into the kitchen and introduced him to the chef.

"Your veal parmigiana was superb," the customer said. "I just spent a month in Italy, and yours is better than any I ever had over there."

"Naturally," the chef said. "Over there, they use domestic cheese. Ours is imported."

Relax and laugh at life here.....

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

BIBLE TRIVIA (Strange and Amazing Facts)

THE PROTESTANT VERSION.....

.....of the Old Testament contains 39 books. This is different from both the Hebrew and Catholic Bibles. The New Testament of the Protestant version has 27 books.

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

Ohio Church Experiences the Taste of Poverty

CBN News
28 November 2011

A church in Medina, Ohio is working to raise money for the poor in Kenya by eating what the poor have to eat daily.

More than 50 people at the Connection Church are eating nothing but rice and beans for five days.

The money saved on groceries will be sent to a Kenyan school that provides children with nourishing meals.

Rev. Tony Myles, the church's lead pastor, said the campaign is also raising awareness of the average diet of orphans in Third World countries.

"It definitely messes with your digestive system," a light-hearted Myles told the Akron Beacon Journal. "But it helps us understand what it means to live sacrificially."

"When I sit down and pray before each meal, I find myself more grateful because while I'm doing this by choice, the children in third world countries don't always know when, or if, their next meal is coming," he said.

This is the second year of the food challenge. Last year, the church raised $1,000 for the school located in Nairobi.

Recently, the congregation heard from Cathy Perman, a missionary with Gospel Harvest Ministries, who gave parishioners a firsthand account of what life is like for children at the school.

"The needs there are so much greater than the resources that they have. Without the support of churches like Connection, there wouldn't be a school to help the children," Perman, 62, said.

"When many of the children first came to the school, they were having a lot of stomach problems. In talking with their parents, the bishop discovered that it was because they were not used to eating, sometimes going three days without food," she explained.

DAVID'S DOWNLOAD

GODS VICTORIOUS CHURCH

A revelation of the church to come from the book of Ruth + a prophecy on the 3 armies (type of Church) of God. Fascinating!

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

http://www.wwj.org.nz/pdf/8p2.pdf

WAXING LYRICAL

This poem was written after becoming saddened, almost disillusioned, by the disagreements and arguments I have been witnessing on an internet forum I belong to, between supposedly 'mature' Christians, mainly ministers, who are meant to working together towards unity! How God must cry! I do!

Incidentally, we have had severe floods in New Zealand over the past few days. God's tears? Maybe increased floods aren't a result of global warming after all! But of the divisions in His church!

NOT SURE I WANT TO GO TO HEAVEN ANY MORE!

Not so sure I want to go to heaven any more!
For what I see here, shakes me to the core.
What if heaven was to be the same?
Who would there be to blame!

Not so sure I want to go to heaven any more!
When all I see is raging arguments to the fore.
What if heaven was to be the same?
Who would there be to blame!

Not so sure I want to go to heaven any more!
For we fight on earth and resentments store.
What if heaven was to be the same?
Who would there be to blame!

Not so sure I want to go to heaven any more,
Down here, splits and divisions are folklore.
What if heaven was to be the same?
Who would there be to blame!

Not so sure I want to go to heaven any more!
Disagreement's so rife, just become a bore!
What if heaven was to be the same?
Who would there be to blame!

So maybe I should go to go to heaven now,
To see how God deals with our sacred cow.
Surely heaven can not be the same?
There would only be God to blame!

So how about building His Kingdom on earth?
There's a radical thought, has some worth!
Surely church wouldn't be the same?
When God's kingdom, to earth came!

My friend, we simply have the choice,
To disagree, or speak with one voice.
To defend to the end where we come from,
Or get on with it, and build His Kingdom.

His Kingdom now, has is to be within you see,
Comes as we let Him deal with you and me.
When we go on to seek His heavenly will,
Division and strife, His will, will kill!

The kingdom that disagreement sows,
Is built by treading on other's toes.
But the heavenly kingdom that God does see,
Is founded upon co-operation and unity.

Will you help ease God's frustrations,
By taking the gospel to the nations?
Putting aside, that which does now divide,
The salvation message, others to provide.

Not one has entered through division and strife,
For words spoken in anger do not bring life.
Theological argument hasn't saved a single soul,
Nor a dearly held doctrine made a seeker whole.

But what works every time is a witness of love,
Putting aside the jackal to become the dove.
Yes, as we build His Kingdom on earth you see,
Together, we can all look forward to eternity.

David Tait 21 July 2004

More of David's offerings at...

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

A DAVID MUSING

I love driving! I love speed! Motorsport has been my hobby most of my life. Firstly, competing, now as a couch potato!

Yes, the Lord has got at me to stay under the speed limit, which I now (with a heavy heart, rather than a heavy foot!) do! But I still like going round the corners at 100kmp! As you can see I am not fully sanctified yet!

Over the past couple of months I have done virtually no 'out of town' trips. But on Thursday, I got to drive to the beautiful lakeside town of Taupo, 150km from Napier, to visit our shop there. I drove over some hills with many good bends and corners. Was in my element! Realized I had been suffering withdrawal symptoms from a lack of driving! LOL!

Of course, motorsport is a rich mans sport, which explains why I had to 'retire' round 40 years ago, when we had kids! Both kids and cars are expensive! Still, dreams live on!

Of course, our dreams and priorities do change as we progress through life. Since meeting Jesus, and later, after being called by Him to WWJ Ministries, my priorities, both spiritual and financial, have certainly changed. To see His kingdom come is now my hearts desire and life's work.

But the drive was nice still though! Lord, heal me! (LOL!)
......
PS: Our assailant is going to ask for 2 weeks bail when he comes up on remand next Wednesday. The Police will oppose it, but it is up to the Judge. We will wait and see!

Until next week.......

MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD.

His servant and yours

David Tait

Today's 'Word Puzzle' Answer: BLESSING

TODAY'S 'BIBLE QUESTION' ANSWER: a. Righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit ...
(Romans 14:17)

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