A Weekly World Wide Word of Encouragement to those in the Ministry
PRAISE GOD IT’S MONDAY!
A WEEKLY ‘WWW (world-wide word) OF ENCOURAGEMENT’
TO THOSE IN MINISTRY
A FREE service, currently connecting with Christian leaders from 3,000 denominations and ministries, in 70 countries.
Issue No: 556 Published: 18 Jun 2012
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 the last 22 weeks issues of PGIM!)We have looked at some of these principles previously, but this summary will hopefully both increase our knowledge and encourage us put our knowledge into practice!
TO COMPREHEND OR REVERE
Greek (Western) The Greeks learned in order to comprehend.
We read the Bible to try to understand more and more about God. We endeavour to develop a 'systematic theology'. We want all our questions answered, all our problems solved, and all contradictions (in our mind) to be resolved. We use the Bible as a textbook, in order to build up a concrete but abstract picture of what an infinite and incomprehensible God is like. We try to reduce God to our own level of understanding.
This trend is intensifying as our levels of human scientific understanding increase in this post-industrial, information age. We are rapidly replacing 'God' with the 'god of science and technology'. We learn in order to use. We want theological answers that can be instantly applied to overcome the problems of life. We try to make the Bible into something it is not, distorting it in the process.
Sadly, we no longer preach the Gospel, cast out demons, heal the sick and make disciples, but rather, we market CD's, books and religious paraphernalia. Preachers are glorified who attract people and money. Books are published, not necessarily for the principles they contain, but because they will appeal to a mass market.
Eastern (Hebrew) The Hebrews learned in order to revere.
REVERE: To show devoted deferential honor to : regard as worthy of great honor
SYNONYMS: adore, deify, glorify, worship, reverence, venerate.
Reverence engenders unconditional acceptance rather than analytical understanding.
The Bible teaches, from earliest times, that we are to revere God.....
4 It is the LORD your God you must follow, and him you must revere. Keep his commands and obey him; serve him and hold fast to him. (Deuteronomy 13:4)
An explanation from a Jewish perspective follows.....
"To the Jewish mind, the understanding of God is not achieved by referring to a Greek way to timeless qualities of Supreme Being, to ideas of goodness and perfection, but rather by sensing the living acts of His concern, to His dynamic attentiveness to man. We speak not of His goodness in general but of His compassion for the individual man in a particular situation"('God in Search of Man' by Abraham Heschel, page 21)
Faith is not built by ultimate understanding, but through experiencing God's actions in ones life. Jesus taught.....
36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?†37 Jesus replied: â€â€˜Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. (Matthew 22:36-8)
And seeing the result of His actions in the lives of others.....
34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.†(John 13:34-5)
This is why we will never truly witness to Jews and Moslems through words only. The Eastern way is to learn from personal experience and the witness of the result of other's personal experience, as reflected through their behaviour.
This experiential love however is not an excuse to justify and accept ungodly behaviour. For reverence and sinful living are mutually exclusive concepts.
This is illustrated in the teachings of Paul, who was regarded as a leader of, what we would call, the fundamentalist 'Nazarene Sect', who preached the 'tough stuff' which scared the governor, Felix, one who thought basically with a Greek mindset!
5 “We have found this man to be a troublemaker, stirring up riots among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the Nazarene sect..... 25 As Paul discoursed on righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, “That’s enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.†(Acts 24:5,25)
If we truly revere God we will humble ourselves in order to let God develop the 'fruit of the Spirit' in our lives.....
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. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. (Galatians 5:22-5)
Understanding is helpful, but application, godly.
SOME SPIRITUAL IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY
1. Discipleship (obedience to God) rates higher than theology (knowledge of God) every time.
2. Our behaviour is more important to God than our understanding.
3. Worship is not singing spiritual songs to God, but rather, a lifestyle of deep reverence of God, 24/7.
4. Our church structure needs to reverse the current infatuation with theological degrees and appointed position, to one of seeking for, and honoring, holiness and righteousness in leadership and people alike.
5. Lord, forgive us, for we have sinned.
(To be continued next week.)
Acknowledgements: http://www.followtherabbi.com and http://hethathasanear.com
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FROM THE WORD
Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial"When he was gone, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified and God is glorified in him. If God is glorified in him, God will glorify the Son in himself, and will glorify him at once. “My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come. “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.†Simon Peter asked him, “Lord, where are you going?†Jesus replied, “Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later.†Peter asked, “Lord, why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.†Then Jesus answered, “Will you really lay down your life for me? I tell you the truth, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!" (John 13:31-8)
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." (Galatians 5:16-26)
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 6:1-10)
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DAVID'S DOODLINGS
HOLINESS1001. 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.
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 ...
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TUESDAY TEACHINGS
THIS WEEK: A REVELATION OF... GOD'S CALL TO HIS CHURCH continues.....We will take a look at 2 'sacred cows' of the current church.
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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." ***
503. THE COWBOYS 10 COMMANDMENTS
(1) Just one God.
(2) Honor yer Ma & Pa.
(3) No telling tales or gossipin'.
(4) Git yourself to Sunday meeting.
(5) Put nothin' before God.
(6) No foolin' around with another fellow's gal.
(7) No killin'.
(8) Watch yer mouth.
(9) Don't take what ain't yers.
(10) Don't be hankerin' for yer buddy's stuff
Y'all have a good Day.
Guess cowboys just kinda tell it like it is!!!!
Think if we all used these instead of the one with all the "shalt nots" in it, we could probably understand and live up to them a lot better!
502. KIDS!
To those of us who have children in our lives, whether they are our own children, grandchildren, nieces/nephews, or even students, here is something to make you chuckle.
Whenever your children are out of control, you can take comfort from the thought that even God had "situations" with his own children.
After creating heaven and earth, God created Adam and Eve. And the first thing he said was, "Don't".
"Don't what?" Adam replied.
"Don't eat the forbidden fruit." God said.
"Forbidden fruit? We have forbidden fruit?
"Hey, Eve .. . we have forbidden fruit!"
"No way!"
"Yes, way!"
"Do NOT eat the fruit!" said God.
"Why?"
Because I am your Father and I said so!" God replied, (wondering why He hadn't stopped creation after making the elephants).
A few minutes later, God saw His children having an apple break and was He ticked!
"Didn't I tell you not to eat the fruit?" God, asked?
"Uh huh," Adam replied.
"Then why did you?" said the Father.
"I don't know," said Eve.
"She started it!" Adam said.
"Did not!"
"Did too!"
"DID NOT!"
Having had it with the two of them, God's punishment was that Adam and Eve should have children of their own. Thus, the pattern was set into motion.
FREE DOWNLOAD: You can now download the book 'Laughing At Ourselves' in PDF format at LAUGHING AT OURSELVES
One of the most comprehensive sources of Christian Humour on the Net with 800 sermon fillers for your entertainment and use at ...
FACTS FOR FUN
LAST WEEKS QUESTION: Which Shakespearean play is the only one that has a dog in its cast?ANSWER: The dog's name is Crab, appearing in ‘The Two Gentlemen of Verona’. (To nip its fellow actors?)
THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: What is an ‘interrobang’?
Answer Next Week.
SOME FUN FACTS1003. BACK EAST
Herbert Hoover was the first US president born west of the Mississippi. He was born 8/10/1874 in West Branch, Iowa. (Took a while for the ‘young men’ who went out west, to come back to the east.)
1004. PEANUTS PLEASE
The original name for Charles Schulz’s Peanuts comic strip was “Li’l Folks.†(Little folks, big profits!)
1005. CAUGHT BY A CAT
During the rein of Kublai Khan, the Chinese trained lions to pursue and attack big animals like bulls. (But how did you get them to release their prey?)
A WORD PUZZLE FOR YOU
Make another word from this word using all the letters.
GLIBNESS
Answer at the end of A David Musing
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66 BOOKS... 66 QUESTIONS
4: Numbers: What sort of animal spoke to Balaam?a. Donkey
b. Cow
c. Pig
d. Camel
Source: http://biblequizzes.org.uk
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IF ONLY I'D THOUGHT OF IT!
"""OTHER'S SAYINGS TO ENLIGHTEN, AMUSE, OR BEMUSE"""!!!!!!! Never leave your wife's anniversary present in a Wal-Mart bag.
!!!!!! Definition of a will: It's a dead giveaway.
!!!!! I don't need beauty sleep, I need a coma.
!!!! When you breathe, you inspire. When you do not breathe, you expire.
!!! A skeptic is a person who when he sees the handwriting on the wall claims it's a forgery.
!! It isn't difficult to make a mountain out of a molehill - just add a little dirt.
! You'll notice that a turtle only makes progress when it sticks out its neck...
100'S MORE TO BE FOUND AT...
TILL DEATH DO US PART!
46. THE PERFECT SHOTA guy stood over his tee shot for what seemed an eternity; looking up, looking down, measuring the distance, figuring the wind direction and speed. Driving his partner nuts. Finally his exasperated partner says, "What's taking so long? Hit the blasted ball!"
The guy answers, "My wife is up there watching me from the clubhouse. I want to make this a perfect shot."
"Forget it, man! You don't stand a chance of hitting her from here!"
47. MAKING MATTERS WORSE
"So, what's the matter? I thought you just got back from a nice relaxing fishing trip with your husband."
"Oh, everything went wrong: First he said I talked so loud I would scare the fish. Then he said I was using the wrong bait; and then that I was reeling in too soon.
"All that might have been all right; but then, to make matters worse, I ended up catching the most fish!"
48. IN WITH DAD
When the Jones family moved into their new house, a visiting relative asked five-year-old Sammy how he liked the new place.
"It's terrific," he said. "I have my own room, Mike has his own room, and Jamie has her own room. But poor mum is still in with dad."
49. MALE WISDOM
David: "I'm a man of few words."
Doug: "Yeah, I'm married, too."
More marriage and family humour here.....
BIBLE TRIVIA (Music in the Bible)
THE HARP.......... is perhaps the most mentioned instrument in the Bible. It is believed to be the lyre, a smaller instrument with 8-10 strings to pluck. The fingers or some form of pick may have been used. The lyre originates form Syria.
Adapted from: '1001 Surprising Things You Should Know About The Bible' MacGregor & Prys
Has the church lost a generation?
The statistics are clear: they're online. They're on Facebook, on Twitter, checking their emails and browsing the web. In fact, one in three Brits spend between two and three hours a day using Facebook on their smartphones. We always talk about the missing generation being the 20s-30s in our churches, but it's not just young people who are online - the thirty-plus demographic now represents almost half of all UK Facebook users.Many church leaders and the more traditional among us may be wary of Facebook and other social media sites, and you have every right to be – if not used properly and with full consideration of various risks you could find yourself in deep water. However, the benefits of getting yourself and your church or organisation up-and-running online outweigh the possible pitfalls by a million miles.
Take yourself outside your church walls for a moment. If you had just moved to the area or just became a Christian and were looking to attend a place of worship, how would you go about starting your search? Chances are, you would search the web for 'churches in Leeds/London/Lancaster', and if your church doesn't have an active website or a presence on social media then this person will pass you by. This isn't about trying to get more people to your place of worship, or to your organisation, or to your point of view - it's about giving them a Choice. Everyone expresses their love and adoration for God in a different way, and it's our responsibility to let people know that whatever their various beliefs they will be accepted into your community.
Via: http://mychristiandaily.com
DAVID'S DOWNLOAD
UP THE MOUNTAINAn exciting yet challenging allegory of one man’s spiritual journey and his participation in the fulfillment of God’s plan.
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WAXING LYRICAL
An amazing event in our family! My Mum, who was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in her late 40's is still with us to celebrate her 90th birthday, becoming the longest lived lady ON our 300 year family tree! Incredible!PS: Kathy's Mum also turned 90, 3 weeks ago.
MY MUM IS 90!
Yes, today my Mum has turned ninety!
Threescore years, plus ten, plus twenty!
Where have all those years gone?
To us, a right royal paragon
Of virtue, befitting a hundred and fifty.
My Mum was born in Northern Ireland.
Green grass, grey sky, but her land.
Taken to Canada when oh so small,
Before arriving on New Zealand soil,
Where, on the farm, she leant a hand.
Experiencing the quake of 31 at school,
Where, of course, she was nobody’s fool.
Yes, dux of her year, you would expect no less,
With lots of brains, the Lord, my Mum did bless.
Getting it right, not the exception, but the rule.
Then up and away, to work on her bike,
Along the embankment, fast as you like.
In a lawyer’s office, my Mum did lurk,
Behind a typewriter, she did work.
Through a mountain of paper, Mum did hike.
One day in a shoe shop, she did meet her match,
A dastardly plan, my Dad, he did slyly hatch.
One wrong shoe in a box,
Put in by the wily old fox,
Return she did, where now, he made his catch.
Along came wedding bells and the knot was tied,
And then a son, bearing whom, she nearly died.
A time of blindness to go along with the pain,
But a bonny boy (if I may say so) she did gain!
To bring him up right, was what she always tried.
Eighteen months later, he was joined by a cute sister,
Judith Lorraine, a girl to dote on, not another mister.
Now there were two, with each other to fight,
Or rather, over which, a proud Mum, to skite.
Our Mum, she now had her son and her daughter.
I remember my Mum out on the tennis court,
A pretty picture in her dress, oh so short.
And then, of course, she charmed the Queen,
On the Britannia, where not many have been,
An experience, money could not have bought.
First MP’s wife, then as the gracious Mayoress,
Napier City, with her presence, she did bless.
Public life though, was not easy for her,
Home with family, she did rather prefer,
Always beautiful, in the way she did dress.
Mum and Dad, they travelled far and wide,
From Taj Mahal, to Sistine Chapel, inside.
They took us to Australia to visit a sewage farm,
A memorable pong that surely did me no harm.
While a cricket ball, round the MCG, it did glide.
Then came the shock diagnosis of multiple sclerosis,
But my Mum would not let it become a neurosis,
The Catholic charismatics prayed so hard,
That our God, played His trump card,
The disease never reaching its terrible prognosis.
Mum, you’ve been so brave and stoic in the challenges of life,
Always with a shrug and a smile, even when in great strife,
An example to me, and others, you have been,
In the good and the bad, and the in-between,
You have coped, persevered, always the good Mum and wife.
From Thompson to Kennedy Road, then up on the hill,
To Avon Terrace, several houses you and Dad did fill.
But in time, your husband, our Dad, did die,
Putting on a brave face, inside you did cry.
Then to get on with your life, it became your will.
Over the past 14 years I have watched you grow,
A new Lady Tait, have been privileged to know.
As you have made a new life on your own,
Into a new dimension you have grown.
A fresh dash of yeast to leaven your dough.
From Knightsbridge Village to Devonshire Place,
You’ve inspired others with your smile and grace.
A contentment in the face of difficulties you have found,
A model, to me, and to others, whom you are around.
In your later years, you have truly found your place.
Yes, as you have reached the milestone of 90 today,
The longest lived lady, in 300 years, you can now say,
All your family together, we’re so blessed by your life,
A faithful daughter, mother, grandmother and wife.
I thank and love you. ‘My Mum’, you will ever stay.
David Tait: Saturday 16 October 2010
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A DAVID MUSING
We get used to what we are used to!What a silly statement, David! But it is true. The more we experience something, good or bad, the more we adapt to it.
What brought on this strange line of thought is the weather! Currently, for us here in Napier it is cold! Very cold, in fact! For Winter has set in. But if you live 1000km or more south of us, at the bottom of the South Island, (remembering we are in the Southern Hemisphere) our weather would feel quite warm. That reminds me! I was relaxing in the hot spa at our public pools the other day, warming up. A young guy on holiday here from the deep south though, felt it was pleasantly warm! Yes, I know we are wimps! For we don't have snow, although there is plenty on the mountains behind us. My son Andrew, now acclimatised to temperatures in the north of Scotland, would agree. For he goes out in the snow training for the marathons he runs!
On the other hand, if you have been brought up living in the tropics, you would surely now be wanting to catch the next plane home!
Faith too, is much like the weather. We soon get used to a faith level, no matter how big or small it may be. A new and greater level of faith soon becomes the norm.
That is why God continually asks us not to become content with our current level but to step out in renewed faith for Him, so that He can again prove His faithfulness to us.
Like the cold weather for me today, unexplored faith is uncomfortable, but we learn to know that His sun (Son) will shine upon us, when we are prepared to step out for Him.
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. Donkey (Numbers 22)
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ABOUT US
WALKING WITH JESUS MINISTRIES is a non-profit, non-denominational, Bible based ministry located in Hastings, New Zealand. A ministry dedicated to developing discipleship, fostering unity amongst God’s people to achieve the Great Commission, and in doing so, preparing for Christ’s return. It is securely based upon the foundational principles of the Apostles Creed while recognising the wide and rich diversity of beliefs amongst Christians in other areas. In accordance with the Lord’s direction, materials produced by the ministry are available, free of charge, to genuine enquirers upon request. The ministry is solely funded by donations, as the Lord provides. A list of materials available (plus some fun!) is obtainable and freely downloadable from our websitewwj.org.nz or by contacting us as follows.
Walking With Jesus Ministries
7 Bull Street
Ahuriri
Napier
New Zealand
Phone: (06) 835 0567 International (+64) 6 835 0567
Email: enquiries@wwj.org.nz
Web: wwj.org.nz
Our role is to bless and encourage those in ministry while promoting co-operation and unity of direction amongst the body of Christ, as emphasised 3 times by Jesus in His longest prayer, immediately prior to His arrest and crucifixion. "… so that they may be one as we are one." (John 17:12, 21, 23-4) Our website is currently being developed to encourage your participation one with another, to share resources, and to enable you to promote events and items of interest to the body as a whole – and have a smile while doing it!
For comments upon and contributions to this service, please contact
david@wwj.org.nz