THINKING GREEK OR HEBREW? continues

We are looking at the differences between the Jewish (Eastern) and Greek (Western) ways of thinking, so that we can better understand the ways and teachings of Jesus. (See also the last 4 weeks of PGIM!)

ERROR/SIN

Greek (Western)

Greek thought primarily views sin as a wrong belief or incorrect thinking. The mind is blamed for the actions of the will. Excuses abound for sin. Spiritually we emphasize what a person knows about faith. Hence our lifting up of knowledge about Jesus, as gained from theological learning institutions. Degrees, diplomas or other qualifications have become a prerequisite for spiritual appointments.

Eastern (Hebrew)

Hebrews view sin as wrong behaviour. They emphasize what a person does in response to faith.

The parable of the Good Samaritan is the most famous example.

30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ 36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” 37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” (Luke 10:30-37)

The reason that Jesus hated the Pharisees so much was their spiritual hypocrisy - which would be pretty acceptable in our day too!

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)

And, of course, thoughts, words and actions not agreeing, cost Ananias and Sapphira their lives! The church was afraid then and should be so now!

Ananias and Sapphira

Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. 2 With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet. 3 Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? 4 Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied to men but to God.” 5 When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. 6 Then the young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him.
7 About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 Peter asked her, “Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?” “Yes,” she said, “that is the price.” 9 Peter said to her, “How could you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.” 10 At that moment she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11 Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.

SOME SPIRITUAL IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

1. Actions speak louder than words. Words and actions must agree.

2. The proof of salvation isn't a verbal statement, prayer or even a written pledge, but a life lived under the control, and in the image, of Jesus.

3. Ministry is a calling, not a profession.

4. Knowledge about Jesus is good, but a life changed by Jesus brings salvation and eternal life.

(To be continued next week.)

Acknowledgement: http://www.followtherabbi.com

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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)

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DAVID'S DOODLINGS

TO BE or TO DO

701. Man expects 'to do' in order 'to be', but God requires us 'to be' in order 'to do'.

702. In God's dictionary, 'doing' follows 'being'.

703. 'To do' is simply living out our 'to be'.

704. If 'to do' does not follow out of our 'to be', then our 'to be' is 'not to be'!

705. 'To be' a witness is 'to do' God's will.

706. We are first called 'to be', then 'to do'.

707. Too often we try 'to do' when God is simply calling us 'to be'.

708. 'To do' good, it is best 'to be' good!

709. To best know what 'to do', we must first learn how 'to be'.

710. If 'what to do' is your question, look to 'what to be' to find your answer.

711. When 'to be or not to be' is the question, 'to be and to do' is the answer.

712. True 'being' results in 'doing'.

713. 'Being' without 'doing' is like a motor without a car. Makes plenty of noise but takes you nowhere!

714. 'To be' is the salt, 'to do' the light. We are called to be both.

1220. Our walk with Jesus is to start off with applying the 'don'ts' of the Law and to end up doing the 'do's' of His will.

1221. The sign of maturity in Jesus is when we live not only the 'dont's of the Law' but live the 'do's of righteousness, submission and obedience to God's will' in our lives.

1222. The 'don'ts of the Law' form firm foundations, but walls and roofs of a godly house are built of submission to God's will.

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CRANWELLS CARTOONS

18 While he was saying this, a ruler came and knelt before him and said, “My daughter has just died. But come and put your hand on her, and she will live.” 19 Jesus got up and went with him, and so did his disciples. 20 Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. 21 She said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.” 22 Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed from that moment. 23 When Jesus entered the ruler’s house and saw the flute players and the noisy crowd, 24 he said, “Go away. The girl is not dead but asleep.” But they laughed at him. 25 After the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took the girl by the hand, and she got up. 26 News of this spread through all that region. (Matthew 9:18-26)






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TUESDAY TEACHINGS

THIS WEEK: A REVELATION OF……. SERVANTHOOD AND LEADERSHIP

A greater attitude of servanthood in leadership is one of the key principles that God is requiring as he moves to take His church forward.

Today we are going to have a look at the Organisation Structure in the church now and how God wants it to be.

Then take a brief, honest look at the present reality, the problems faced and the solution. Let's learn together...

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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." ***

452. WHAT IS YOUR FAITH?
I was walking across a bridge one day, and I saw a man standing on the edge, about to jump off. So I ran over and said, "Stop! Don't do it!"

"Why shouldn't I?" he said.

I said, "Well, there's so much to live for!"

He said, "Like what?"

I said, "Well...are you religious or atheist?"

He said, "Religious."

I said, "Me too! Are you Christian or Buddhist?"

He said, "Christian."

I said, "Me too! Are you Catholic or Protestant?"

He said, "Protestant."

I said, "Me too! Are you Episcopalian or Baptist?"

He said, "Baptist!"

I said, "Wow! Me too! Are you Baptist Church of God or Baptist Church of the Lord?"

He said, "Baptist Church of God!"

I said, "Me too! Are you original Baptist Church of God, or are you Reformed Baptist Church of God?"

He said, "Reformed Baptist Church of God!"

I said, "Me too! Are you Reformed Baptist Church of God, reformation of 1879, or Reformed Baptist Church of God, reformation of 1915?"

He said, "Reformed Baptist Church of God, reformation of 1915!"

I said, "Die, heretic scum!" and pushed him off.

PS: Would be funny if it wasn't so true! David.

451. ONLY ONE MIRACLE TODAY
Grandma Deanie took her little grandson Billy to the beach. They were having a good time until a huge wave came in and swept Billy out to sea. Grandma Deanie fell down on her knees and pleaded to the heavens, "Please return my grandson, -- that's all I ask! PLEASE!!!"

A moment later, lo and behold, a wave swelled from the ocean and deposited the wet, yet unhurt child, at her feet. She checked him over to make sure that he was okay. He was fine. But still she looked up at the sky with an annoyed expression and said, "When we came he had a hat!"

FREE DOWNLOAD: You can now download the book 'Laughing At Ourselves' in PDF format at LAUGHING AT OURSELVES

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FACTS FOR FUN

LAST WEEKS QUESTION: What is the lowest place on Earth?

ANSWER: The Dead Sea, located near some of Israel's most famous historical sites, is the lowest place on Earth. It lies further below sea level than any other place in the world. (The only place you can float below sea level?)

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: Are pigeons and doves of the same family?

Answer Next Week.

SOME FUN FACTS

1156. PUNISHING PUSH-UPS!
On 24 April 1993, Charles Servizio unbelievably managed to compete 46,001 push-ups in a 24 hour period, or one every 1.8741865 seconds. (Give or take a millisecond or two!)

1157. ANYONE FOR CRICKET?
The first recorded reference to the glorious game of cricket dates way back to 1272AD. (Has given 22 generations (i.e. 2 teams) of administrators ample time to complicate the rules so much so that only a few of those who play (And no umpires of course!) can understand them. Still the world’s most glorious game, however.)

1158. NEED A REAL TOOTH FAIRY
The tooth is the only part of the human body that cannot heal itself. (Ironically the part that most often needs replacing too!)

A WORD PUZZLE FOR YOU

Make another word from this word using all the letters.

UNTRIED

Answer at the end of A David Musing

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BIBLE QUESTION - THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW

6: What does Jesus say to do if your right hand causes you to sin?

a. Pray for forgiveness
b. Burn it in the fire
c. Cut it off
d. Tie it behind your back

Source: http://biblequizzes.org.uk

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IF ONLY I'D THOUGHT OF IT!

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

SAYINGS FOR YOU TO PONDER

!!!!!!! To be the picture of health, be in a good frame of mind.

!!!!!! We have two ears and only one tongue, in order that we may hear more and speak less.

!!!!! Give yourself to God ~ He can do more with you than you can.

!!!! Beware of an half-truth ~ you may get hold of the wrong half.

!!! Today's mighty oak is just yesterday's nut that held its ground.

!! If God is your Father, please call home.

! If you can't be a Christian where you are, you can't be one anywhere.

100'S MORE TO BE FOUND AT...

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EXTENSIVE EXPLANATIONS

10. MURPHY’S LAWS OF COMPUTING
@ When computing, whatever happens, behave as though you meant it to happen.

@ When you get to the point that you really understand your computer, then it’s probably obsolete.

@ The first place to look for information is in the section of the manual where you least expect to find it.

@ When the going gets tough – upgrade.

@ For every action, there is an equal and opposite malfunction.

@ To err is human…. To blame your computer for your mistakes is even more human - it is downright natural.

@ If at first you do not succeed, blame your computer.

@ A complex system that does not work is invariably found to have evolved from a simpler system that worked perfectly.

@ The number one cause of computer problems? Computer solutions offered by family members.

@ It is amazing how often there is a problem with the interface between the chair and the keyboard.

11. PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY IN THE USA
And in most other countries too!

$$$ If a woman burns her thighs on the hot coffee she was holding in her lap while driving, she blames the restaurant.

$$$ If your teen-age son kills himself, you blame the rock 'n' roll musician he liked.

$$$ If you smoke three packs a day for 40 years and die of lung cancer your family blames the tobacco company.

$$$ If your daughter gets pregnant by the football captain you blame the school for poor sex education.

$$$ If your neighbour crashes into a tree while driving home drunk, you blame the bartender.

$$$ If your cousin gets AIDS because the needle he used to shoot heroin was dirty, you blame the government for not providing clean ones.

$$$ If your grandchildren are brats without manners, you blame television.

$$$ And, if your friend is shot by a deranged madman, you blame the gun manufacturer.

$$$ God bless America, land of the free, home of the blame.

12. PROCRASTINATION
The procrastinator’s creed.

1. I believe that if anything is worth doing, it would have been done already.

2. I shall never move quickly, except to avoid more work or find excuses.

3. I will never rush into a job without a lifetime of consideration.

4. I shall meet all of my deadlines directly in proportion to the amount of bodily injury I could expect to receive from missing them.

5. I firmly believe that tomorrow holds the possibility for new technologies, astounding discoveries, and a reprieve from my obligations.

6. I truly believe that all deadlines are unreasonable regardless of the amount of time given.

7. I shall never forget that the probability of a miracle, though small, is not exactly zero.

8. If at first I don't succeed, there is always next year.

9. I shall always decide not to decide, unless of course I decide to change my mind.

10. I shall always begin, start, initiate, take the first step, and/or write the first word, when I get around to it.

11. I obey the law of inverse excuses which demands that the greater the task to be done, the more insignificant the work that must be done prior to beginning the greater task.

12. I know that the work cycle is not plan/start/finish, but is wait/plan/plan.

13. I will never put off until tomorrow, what I can forget about forever.

14. I will become a member of the ancient Order of Two-Headed Turtles (the Procrastinator's Society) if they ever get it organised.

Many more extensive explanations here.....

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

BIBLE TRIVIA (Strange and Amazing Facts)

WHEN WAS JOB WRITTEN?

Around the same time of as Genesis! Were the first books of the Bible to be written.

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

Church Attendance and Movies in the USA

By Dan Wooding
Founder of ASSIST Ministries

HOLLYWOOD, CA (ANS) -- Weekly church attendance among adults in the United States is 43.1%, according to Gallup.

“If extrapolated to include children, the number of Americans attending regular church services weekly could be as high as 134.86 million people out of the 312.9 million people in America,” says Movieguide® (www.movieguide.org).(+ illustration)

“Of that number, the Barna Group says 15% of adults, or 36.61 million people, also regularly go to Sunday School on a typical Sunday, and at least 19% of adults, or 46.37 million people, donate some of their time weekly to serving at a church.”

Movieguide® added, “This compares to only 24.58 million people, including children and adults, who went to the movies in a typical week in 2011 in both the United States and Canada, according to ticket sales information culled from Variety, the main trade paper for the entertainment industry.”

DAVID'S DOWNLOAD

A REVELATION OF……. GIVING TO GOD

In Christianity, we hear an awful lot about what God has done for us, but much less of what He desires from us in return!

There is a saying that 'salvation is a free gift, but discipleship costs us everything!' For as Jesus sacrificed His life for us on Calvary's grim hill, so we, in turn, are to model Him, and sacrifice our life for God and for others.

In this study we are going to look at the ways in which we are to offer God the sacrifices He so much desires from us - Praise and Worship, Prayer and Fasting and Tithes and Gifts.

My God sacrificed His son Jesus, for me! Surely, the first thing I can do for Him is to offer back the sacrifices He desires of me. Is that too much to ask?

In theory we would probably agree, but the practice of our lives often tends to fall short of our good intentions!

I trust that this study will encourage you, as it has me, to give back to God what He desires of each one of us.

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

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WAXING LYRICAL

Asking the question. Do you have the answer?

A DAVID MUSING

For David Tait
Is Running late
Here's a musing
Find it amusing

Life was short
People then fought
Now life's longer
Are people stronger?

More of David's offerings at...

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A DAVID MUSING

By the time you read this Kathy and I will have arrived in Scotland, travelling from the height of summer here in New Zealand to the middle of winter! But Andrew and Catriona plus our 3 grandchidren, whom we haven't seen for 3 years, will provide many rays of sunshine for us, I am sure! We will be there for 3 1/2 weeks. News from 'Bonny Scotland' next week!

Until next week.......

MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD.

His servant and yours

David Tait

Today's 'Word Puzzle' Answer: INTRUDE

TODAY'S 'BIBLE QUESTION' ANSWER: 6c. Cut it off (Matthew 5:30)

REPRODUCTION OF NEWSLETTER CONTENT

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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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